PCB disappointed with West Indies’ refusal to play in Pakistan

WICB turns down PCB's request for Pakistan T20 tour citing security fears

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is disappointed at West Indies Cricket Board’s refusal to play a limited over series in Pakistan between September and October this year, an official told Press Trust of India on Tuesday.

West Indies, who were recently crowned World T20 champions, turned down the request from PCB to play a few matches of the full series in Pakistan. The series of two Tests, five one-days and two T20s is scheduled in UAE later this year.

“The West Indies board have informed us they prefer to play the full series in UAE because of security reasons,” a top PCB official told PTI.



“It is disappointing because we are trying our best to convince other boards that the security condition in Pakistan is improving with time and they need to support us by playing a few games of the home series here,” he said.

PCB had conveyed their request to West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) verbally and also sought the help of former West Indian legends, Sir Vivian Richards and Brian Lara, to persuade the Caribbean side for a home series.



However, the WICB responded by stating that their players still had security concerns over playing in Pakistan.

In March 2009, the Sri Lankan team was attacked by gunmen in Lahore after which all top Test teams refused to tour Pakistan citing security reasons. Since then, Pakistan has only hosted Afghanistan, Kenya and Zimbabwe at home.