Islamabad: New Zealand Crickary forces arrived in Pakistan Saturday for their first tour in 18 years, with Batter coach Samaraweera back to the country where he was shot in 2009.
Samaraweera was part of the Sri Lankan team which was attacked by militants near Gadaffi Stadium in Lahore In 2009.
Samaraweera was shot in the left thigh and it took three months after the operation to return in the field.
He has worked with the New Zealand team since 2019.
The attack led the international team to refuse tours in Pakistan, forcing them to play in neutral places in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
New Zealand also had to cut Pakistan’s tour in 2002, after a bomb blast outside their team hotel in Karachi.
They returned to play five internationally one day in 2003 – Pakistan’s last tour.
On Saturday, the New Zealand team was taken to their hotel on the anti-bullet bus.
Stand-in Skipper Tom Latham said he and his players were happy to be in Pakistan.
“This is clearly very pleasant for Pakistan as a nation,” Latham said.
In the last six years Pakistan has held Zimbabwe, South Africa, Bangladesh, West Indies and Sri Lanka as repaired in this country.
New Zealand will play three international one day (September 17, 19, 21) in Rawalpindi, and five Twenty20 International (September 25, 29, 29, 1 and 3 October) in Lahore.
New Zealand’s troops are weakening in the absence of eight top players, including Captain Kane Williamson who will play in the Indian Premier League scheduled in the UAE from next week.
“For us, just about going there and trying to adapt to conditions,” Latham added.
“So, another chance for the group and they all wait for him,” he added.
Five members of the T20 squad – Todd ASTLE, Mark Chapman, Martin Guptill, Daryl Mitchell and Ish Sodhi – are expected to arrive on Sundays.
As part of Covid-19 prevention measures, the series will be played before a 25 percent full crowd, all of which must be vaccinated to attend.
NZ ODI Squad: Tom Latham (Captain), Finn Allen, Hamish Bennett, Tom Blundell, Doug Bracewell, Colin de Grandhomme, Jacob Duffy, Matt Henry, Scott Kuggeleijn, Cole McConchie, Henry Patel, Rachin Ravindra, Blair Tickner, will be young.