Reports: New Zealand stars set to skip Pakistan tour to honour IPL commitments

Some of the premier New Zealand players might skip the upcoming five-match T20I tour of Pakistan to honour their commitments to the different franchises in the Indian Premier League (IPL), which begins on March 22.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and New Zealand Cricket (NZC) are trying to finalise the dates for the five-match T20I series with formal discussions. The matches are going to be played between April 13 to 24 in Lahore and Rawalpindi. The IPL will continue till May 26 and this would lead to a clash with New Zealand's tour of Pakistan.

According to reports, the star Kiwi players, who are contracted to IPL franchises, will miss the national team's tour of Pakistan. Eight New Zealanders are set to feature in the 17th edition of the cash-rich league - Devon Conway (Chennai Super Kings), Daryl Mitchell (CSK), Rachin Ravindra (CSK), Mitchell Santner (CSK), Kane Williamson (Gujarat Titans), Lockie Ferguson (Royal Challengers Bangalore), Trent Boult (Rajasthan Royals), Glenn Phillips (Sunrisers Hyderabad).

Last month, Pakistan visited New Zealand to play a five-match T20I series. The Blackcaps won by a comfortable 4-1 margin.

Incidentally, in 2023, New Zealand toured Pakistan to play five T20Is and as many ODIs in April and May. The matches overlapped with the IPL. With the star players plying their trades in India, the Kiwis had to field a second-string team. They did well to avoid a series defeat in the T20I as it ended 2-2. However, the ODIs turned out to be a one-sided affair as the hosts won 4-1.

The T20 World Cup is scheduled to take place in June and will be co-hosted by the West Indies and the USA. With not much time remaining, teams will have to chalk out their preparation plans for the marquee event. In the past, players from teams like England and Australia have skipped playing in the IPL to prepare for important national team assignments. The ninth edition of the T20 World Cup gets underway on June 2, with the USA taking on Canada in Dallas.

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