PCB accepts NZC's invitation to play a T20I Tri-series in New Zealand

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has given the green signal to the proposal of playing a tri-nation series in New Zealand before the T20 World Cup in Australia later this year.

According to a report published in Cricket Pakistan, a senior PCB official confirmed that the Babar Azam-led unit would compete in the tri-series as it will help them prepare better for the marquee T20 event.

The New Zealand Cricket Board (NZC) initiated the proposal for the same during an ICC conference last week. The two nations who were offered the invitation were Pakistan and Bangladesh.

While the dates for the tri-series are yet to be decided, a window in late September and early October is set to be chalked out.

It will be the first time that a T20I triangular competition between full-member nations will take place since 2018.

Back in 2018, Australia, New Zealand and England participated in a Trans-Tasman T20I series. During the same year, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka featured in the Nidahas Trophy to commemorate 70 years of Sri Lankan independence.

Pakistan also featured in a tri-series that year involving hosts Zimbabwe and Australia, which the Sarfaraz Ahmed-led unit eventually won by beating the Aussies in the summit clash.

Pakistan's acceptance of New Zealand's proposal comes at a time when the relations between the two boards aren't ideal.

The relations took a nosedive last autumn when New Zealand backed out of their tour of the Asian country on the eve of the first ODI, citing security issues.

However, the Kiwis will be back in Pakistan for a full tour later this year.

Pakistan and New Zealand were a part of the same group in last year's T20 World Cup. The Babar Azam-led unit emerged victorious in that encounter, but New Zealand had the final laugh as they made their way to the final, while Pakistan could only go as far as the semi-finals.