HAMILTON, New Zealand, March 30 (AFP) - New Zealand Cricket (NZC) Friday accepted an invitation for the national team to compete in the triangular one-day tournament in Sharjah from April 8-20.

The NZC board decided at its monthly meeting to join Pakistan and Sri Lanka at the tournament after India withdrew earlier this week.

New Zealand will play Sri Lanka on April 10 and 13, and Pakistan on April 12 and 15. The final is on April 20.

NZC chief executive Chris Doig said the board viewed the tournament as a chance to develop some of the younger players who have played for New Zealand this summer.

The team are unlikely to include several senior players due to the length of their season, including captain Stephen Fleming, who is to take up a contract with English county Middlesex.