NZ says it will replace India in Sharjah tourney

New Zealand said on Friday that it had accepted an invitation to the Coca-Cola Cup tournament in Sharjah next month to replace India who have withdrawn.

"The invitation was received by New Zealand cricket earlier this week as a result of India belatedly withdrawing from the event," New Zealand Cricket chief Christopher Doig said in a statement.

The Pakistan cricket board, which is sending a team, said on Tuesday it would sever cricketing relations with India if its traditional rivals withdrew from the tournament.

The International Cricket Council, the sport's governing body, said on Wednesday it would not intervene as the tournament is a private invitational competition.

Doig said the tournament was a positive opportunity for New Zealand to develop a group of younger players, as several senior players were unlikely to be selected because of the length of the season winding down with the last Test against Pakistan.

They will renew acquaintance with both Pakistan and Sri Lanka at the tournament, both having been tourists to New Zealand this summer.

The tournament starts on April 8.

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