PCB allows 25 percent crowd capacity for upcoming Pak-NZ series

The upcoming limited-overs cricket series between hosts Pakistan and New Zealand will witness 25 percent crowd capacity, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced.

Pakistan’s central body in the fight against Covid-19 pandemic – The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) has given approval to crowd to attend matches.

“Spectators are the essence of any sport event as they create an ambience and atmosphere for the players to excel, perform and enjoy. In this background, we are grateful to the NCOC for allowing the PCB to invite 25 percent crowds for the eight matches,” PCB Chief Executive Wasim Khan said.

“I am sure following the NCOC decision, the unvaccinated cricket followers will expedite their vaccination process so that they can witness the first series on home soil between the two sides since 2003,” he added.

Tourists New Zealand will play three ODIs on September 17, 19 and 21 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, which will be followed by five-match T20I series at the Gaddafi stadium in Lahore.

The T20Is will take place on September 25, 26 and 29 as well as on October 1 and 3.

After the decision, around 4,500 spectators are likely to show up at the stadium during the ODIs series while 5,500 spectators will be able to witness the live-action at the venue during the T20I series.

However, the PCB also said that only spectators who are fully vaccinated and have immunisation certificates for coronavirus will be allowed entry inside the stadiums.

After the development, the PCB will shortly announce ticket prices and other details for the series, the statement said.

As per reports, the PCB is likely to announce its squad by September 7.

The toss for the ODI series will take place at 2pm while the first innings is scheduled to begin from 2:30pm and last till 6pm.

The second innings of the ODIs will then begin at 6:30pm and is likely to conclude by 10pm.

For the T20Is, the toss will be held at 6:30pm and the first innings will begin at 7pm, which is expected to end by 8:25pm.

The second innings will then kick-off at 8:45pm and is likley to conclude at 10:10pm

Meanwhile, the PCB has allowed its players to bring their families and support staff along for the series to give its cricketers a break from the mental stress due to living in strict bio-secure bubbles.

In December, 2020, the PCB had allowed its national players to accompany their families with them, both home and abroad, during the series against South Africa, Zimbabwe, England and West Indies however, the board reversed its decision in June.

As a result, the players and support staff were denied to bring their families along during the England tour.

New Zealand squad for ODIs:

Tom Latham (Captain), Finn Allen, Hamish Bennett, Tom Blundell (wk), Doug Bracewell, Colin de Grandhomme, Jacob Duffy, Matt Henry, Scott Kuggeleijn, Cole McConchie, Henry Nicholls, Ajaz Patel, Rachin Ravindra, Blair Tickner, Will Young

New Zealand squad for T20Is:

Tom Latham (Captain), Finn Allen, Todd Astle, Hamish Bennett, Tom Blundell (wk), Mark Chapman, Colin de Grandhomme, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Ajaz Patel, Ish Sodhi, Ben Sears, Blair Tickner, Will Young

News Desk

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