Pak vs NZ second Test in Multan moved to Karachi due to poor weather

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Saturday confirmed that the second Test between Pakistan and New Zealand in Multan from January 2-6 has been moved from Multan to Karachi due to poor weather conditions.

The second Test between Pakistan and England was also played at Multan from December 9, where the play was not affected by the smog enveloping the city. However, the weather has deteriorated over the past two weeks which has prompted PCB to move the upcoming Test against New Zealand.

"The Pakistan Cricket Board and New Zealand Cricket have mutually agreed to shift the second Test in Multan to Karachi due to deteriorating weather conditions, which have already disrupted flight operations and may also potentially result in the loss of playing hours," an official statement said.

With both the Tests of the series now to be played at the National Stadium in Karachi, which is also the venue for the three-match ODI series, the matches have now been moved ahead by a day.

"It has also been agreed between the two boards that the second Test and the three ODIs will now be brought forward by a day, meaning the second Test will commence on 2 January with the three ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League fixtures to be played on 9, 11 and 13 January," the statement added.

Pakistan haven't won a Test all year as they drew two matches before losing the series 1-0 against Australia. It was by followed by their first ever Test whitewash at the hands of England who clinched the series 3-0. 

The humiliating defeat led to an overhaul starting with the firing of PCB chairman Ramiz Raja followed by the sacking of the selection committee led by Mohammad Wasim and amending the Board's constitution from 2014. On Saturday, former captain Shahid Afridi was appointed interim selection committee chairman.

In September last year, New Zealand were supposed to play three ODIs and five T20Is on their first tour of Pakistan in 18 years, but abandoned it at the eleventh hour citing to security concerns. It triggered a domino effect of England postponing their men's and women's tour that year.

There were also concerns that Cricket Australia would also bail out on their promise, but it did not happen as they played three Tests, three ODIs and a T20I in March this year. The ECB fulfilled its commitment for the men's team as they played seven T20Is before the 2022 T20 World Cup and played three Tests after the tournament.

New Zealand tour of Pakistan, Revised itinerary:

1st Test, Karachi: December 26-30 

2nd Test, Karachi: January 2-6 

1st ODI, Karachi : January 9

2nd ODI, Karachi: January 11

3rd ODI, Karachi: January 13