West Indies mull playing T20s in Pakistan

WICB manager cricket operations says they offer subject to Players' Association agreement and security clearance

West Indies Cricket Board on Tuesday said they were mulling playing two T20s in Pakistan in March this year, subject to security clearance and agreement from the West Indies Players' Association (WIPA).

“There is an offer [from the PCB] to play two T20 matches in Pakistan, subject to Players' Association agreement and security clearance,” Roland Holder, WICB manager of cricket operations, was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

On Monday, PCB executive committee chairman Najam Sethi announced the World T20 champions are ready to visit Pakistan for a short tour but the board needs to assure them of fool-proof security.

“If the security condition is fine, then West Indies will play in Lahore,” Sethi told media at Islamabad United’s book launch. “And we will play two matches against West Indies in Florida in March on our way to tour the country, in return.”

Further, he had said, “West Indies have agreed and have said that if you can convince us that the security situation is good for a visit then we will play against you.”

The head of PCB’s cricket committee had said the onus was on Pakistan now to provide West Indies with adequate security.

The cricket board is sure that after the Pakistan Super League (PSL) final in Lahore will open the doors for revival of international cricket in the country and West Indies will be the first touring side.

The PCB has also been trying to host the 2017 PSL final in Lahore on March 9.