Pakistan to meet Bangladesh in T20I tri-series opener on October 7

By our correspondent

LAHORE: Pakistan, as part of their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Australia 2022 preparations, will participate in a T20I tri-series in Christchurch, New Zealand, from October 7-14 with Bangladesh as the third side.

Number-three ranked Pakistan will take on eighth place Bangladesh on October 7 while they will meet number-six ranked New Zealand on October 8.  In the second round, Pakistan will face New Zealand on October 11 and Bangladesh on October 13. The final will be held on October 14.

In the T20 World Cup, Pakistan will open their campaign against India in Melbourne on 23 October. They will then play the two qualifiers on 27 and 30 October in Perth, before taking on South Africa on 3 November in Sydney and Bangladesh on 6 November in Adelaide.

“I am pleased that we will be featuring in the tri-series in New Zealand as it will help us to arrive early and not only acclimatise for the T20 World Cup in Australia but also give final touches to our preparations,” Pakistan’s skipper Babar Azam said.

“I missed the last series in New Zealand due to a thumb injury and look forward to playing cricket in Christchurch against two good oppositions.”

Pakistan will depart for Christchurch on 4 October after completing their seven-match T20I series against England on 2 October. Prior to the England series, Pakistan will take part in the ACC T20 Asia Cup, which is schedule in Colombo, Sri Lanka, from 27 August to 11 September.