May 18, 2003	Sunday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 15, 1424

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ISLAMABAD, May 17: New Zealand are said to be keen on touring Pakistan this year for five One-day Internationals but confirmation in this regard is awaited.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had forwarded a proposal to New Zealand Cricket about a month a and half ago to make up for the one Test that Kiwis did not play during the tour of this country last year following a bomb blast in Karachi.

The PCB had suggested that either the Kiwis play that Test or go for five one-day Internationals. Although there has been no official response from the New Zealand cricket managers in this regard, unconfirmed reports say that they do want to play one- dayers.

In case if New Zealand do decide on coming to Pakistan, the PCB has a few options of hosting them one of which is to play them under lights in Ramazan. Another one is to play a tri series by involving South Africa who are to tour for three Tests and as many One-day Internationals later this year.

In all Pakistan will be hosting six Test matches this year, three of which will be against Bangladesh.