New Zealand cricket team landed in Islamabad on Saturday to play one-day and T20I series in Pakistan, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Visiting Pakistan after 18 years, the New Zealand team will play three ODIs in Rawalpindi and five T20Is in Lahore.

This is not about the cricket fans only but the visiting squad members are also exuberant and excited on their first tour to Pakistan. Tom Blundell, Blair Tickner and Doug Bracewell have shown their delight over this news.

Pakistan has last played against Black Caps in 2003, where host team has won all five ODI matches. Following which, Pakistan has hosted New Zealand thrice but all of these series were played in UAE.

The New Zealand side will play three ODIs and five T20Is, which will be played from 17 September to 3 October. The ODIs are part of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League and will be played at the Pindi Cricket Stadium on 17, 19 and 21 September, while Gaddafi Stadium will host the T20Is from 25 September to 3 October.

In the recently concluded T20I series against Bangladesh, Kiwis had a tough start to the Bangladesh tour, as they were bundled out for 60 in the first T20I of the series, before falling agonisingly short by four runs in the second. In the fourth game, they were bundled out for 93, which is their seventh lowest total in T20Is.

There were positives however, with the team winning two of the last three games.