Corruption spectre hangs over New Zealand - Pakistan series

New Zealand face Pakistan in a Twenty20 international at Auckland's Eden Park on Sunday to launch a series set to be overshadowed by corruption claims swirling around the visiting team.

Pakistan boasts the better form going into the series - which features three Twenty20 matches, two Tests and six one-dayers - after drawing two Tests and narrowly losing a one-day series 2-3 against South Africa.

New Zealand, meanwhile, are aiming to rebuild under new coach John Wright after after losing their last 11 one-day matches - including series whitewashes against Bangladesh and India. But the match-fixing allegations against Pakistan trio Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer - who are all suspended and not on the New Zealand tour - is likely divert attention from the on-field rivalry. WELLINGTON, Friday, AFP