New Zealand's security team arrives in Pakistan for surveillance ahead of T20I tour

A New Zealand Cricket (NZC) security group has arrived in Pakistan to conduct a reconnaissance of the preparations for the Kiwis' T20 series tour in April. The New Zealand team is expected to arrive on April 14. with the first Twenty20 International match slated to take place on April 18.

The group, comprising two members of the NZC and an impartial security specialist, reached Pakistan recently with plans to visit Islamabad, Lahore, and Rawalpindi. Notably, the five-match T20I series is slated to take place in Lahore and Pindi. In addition, the CEO of the New Zealand Players Association is also a member of the delegation.

 “The security delegation will visit the match venues, hotels where teams will stay and also get briefings from government and security officials on the security plan for the visitors,” a source in the Pakistan Cricket Board said.

Also read: T20 World Cup 2024: Rs 1.84 Crore! Insane demand for India vs Pakistan match tickets

For the unversed, back in September 2021, the New Zealand team came home in without playing a single match of its white-ball series in Pakistan as their government instructed them to do so after learning of a plausible threat against the team.

New Zealand suffer 172-run defeat against Australia in first Test

In a major setback, New Zealand suffered a 172-run defeat against Australia in the first Test of the two-match series that commenced at the Basin Reserve in Wellington. The defeat saw them lose the top spot as they slipped by a place to the second spot in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 points table.

Also read: WTC Standings: India move atop after New Zealand's defeat in Wellington

Speaking of the game, New Zealand conceded 383 runs after putting Australia to bat first upon winning the toss. Glenn Phillips scored a gritty half-century but that helped the hosts to score just 179 runs in their first innings. Phillips then starred with the ball, with a fifer as the Kiwis restricted Pat Cummins and Co to a below-par 164 runs, allowing the tourists to set a target of 369 runs. The batters put their side in trouble themselves as they were bundled out for 196 during the first session of the final day.