New Zealand to host Pak home series

New Zealand will host a record six Tests in the coming southern hemisphere summer during tours by Pakistan, Bangladesh and Australia, officials said Monday.
In a busy international programme, New Zealand will also host eight one-day internationals and three Twenty20 matches, New Zealand Cricket said.
"New Zealand has never before hosted more than five Tests in a season, so the six Test matches being played this summer is a tremendous programme," New Zealand Cricket chief executive Justin Vaughan said.
Pakistan arrive in mid-November to play three Tests after a scheduled tour to Pakistan by New Zealand was cancelled for security reasons following the attack by gunmen against the Sri Lankan cricket team in March.
In February, Bangladesh arrive for a short tour including one Twenty20 international, three one-dayers and one Test.
Australia will tour from late February, playing two Twenty20 internationals, five one-day internationals and two Tests.
"This is shaping up as a very exciting season for cricket fans - and a really busy one for the Black Caps. New Zealand has never before hosted more than five Tests in a season, so the six Test matches being played this summer is a tremendous programme," Vaughan said.
Vaughan said the number of Tests against Australia had been cut from three because of the congested international calendar.
"Playing Test cricket in New Zealand after the cessation of daylight-saving and deep into the second week of April is not realistic. Therefore our only option has been to limit the series to two Tests," he said.
"Trans-Tasman rivals Australia have only just vacated their long-held number one spot in world Test rankings, Bangladesh will look to continue their improvement after a series win against the West Indies - and the Blackcaps will be very keen to outdo Pakistan who sit one above us on the test rankings ladder."
"The Blackcaps will also have the opportunity to continue their good form in both 50-over and Twenty20 cricket - against some exciting sides - culminating in the chance to win back the Chappell-Hadlee series against the Australians," Vaughan mentioned