New Zealand to host Pakistan, and Bangladesh in a T20I Tri-series ahead of the T20 World Cup 2022

New Zealand will host Pakistan and Bangladesh in a T20I tri-series as part of their ICC T20 World Cup 2022 preparations. The Blackcaps are also expected to tour the subcontinent in December 2022 after their tour in 2021 was called off.

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The Babar Azam-led side will make its way to New Zealand to compete in the tri-series in early October. All of the matches are scheduled to be hosted by the Hagley Oval in Christchurch. New Zealand released its home summer schedule earlier today and the tri-series is the first series on the cards.

The hosts will begin the series with a clash against Bangladesh on October 8. The finals are scheduled to take place on October 14, a week before the Super 12s stage commences in Australia.

'I am pleased that we will be featuring in the tri-series in New Zealand': Babar Azam

This will mark Babar's first T20I in New Zealand since 2018. He was ruled out of the 2020-21 tour due to a thumb injury. Speaking about the importance of the tri-series in New Zealand in terms of getting familiar with the conditions, Babar Azam said:

"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."

"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."

Babar Azam said

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In terms of the build-up to the World Cup. the subcontinent teams will be involved in the Asia Cup as well. Bangladesh is currently in the Caribbean, where they will compete in a three-match T20I series after the end of the Test series.

Pakistan-New Zealand-Bangladesh tri-series schedule

8 Oct – New Zealand vs Bangladesh, Hagley Oval, Christchurch

9 Oct – Pakistan vs New Zealand, Hagley Oval, Christchurch

10 Oct – Bangladesh vs Pakistan, Hagley Oval, Christchurch

11 Oct – New Zealand vs Bangladesh, Hagley Oval, Christchurch

12 Oct – Bangladesh vs Pakistan, Hagley Oval, Christchurch

13 Oct – New Zealand vs Pakistan, Hagley Oval, Christchurch

14 Oct – Final, Hagley Oval, Christchurch