Series in Pakistan likely to be in October

KARACHI: Pakistan may play a series at home in October against either Zimbabwe or New Zealand after both countries offered to send their teams, said a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) official. Cricket boards from both countries have offered to help raise funds for an estimated 20 million people affected by the worst flood in Pakistan’s history and have therefore offered to send their teams, although final arrangements are yet to be made.

A PCB official said that the board is taking the offers seriously and wants to host the series as soon as possible.

“The series against New Zealand or Zimbabwe would be a huge breakthrough for the country’s cricket and the board is making efforts to arrange it,” the official told The Express Tribune while adding that the series is likely to be held before next year’s World Cup in October.

“Pakistan’s UAE tour will start in the last week of October before which a series against New Zealand or Zimbabwe may be hosted,” added the official.

Pakistan lost status as co-hosts of next year’s World Cup following an attack on the Sri Lankan team in Lahore last year in March and since then the country has faced a drought of international action. The reluctance of foreign teams to visit the country has also forced Pakistan to play its home series abroad besides being overlooked as host of major ICC events till 2015.

“It would be a great cause as cricket can gather millions for the affected people and at the same time international cricket can resume in Pakistan,” said the official.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 23^rd, 2010.