CWI in touch with PCB over December tour

Cricket West Indies (CWI) CEO Johnny Grave has revealed they are in touch with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) over their upcoming tour of the country in December. Pakistan, who toured West Indies in July-August for two Tests and four T20Is, are slated to host the West Indies in three ODIs and as many T20Is in a reciprocal series in December. However, things have changed drastically after New Zealand and England pulled out of their respective series against Pakistan due to security concerns.

Advertisment

Teams have refrained from travelling to Pakistan after the deadly attack on the Sri Lanka team in 2009. However, of late, few teams like West Indies, South Africa and Sri Lanka have visited the country for short tours. The New Zealand and England series was a big step forward for the PCB but the abandonment of the tours have pegged them back once again. 

Australia too are mulling over cancelling their tour next year. However, PCB have a ray of hope they might visit the country if Pakistan can successfully host West Indies in December. However, if West Indies too pull out, it will be very difficult for PCB to convince Cricket Australia (CA) to send their team to Pakistan.

Grave also revealed they have no confirmation from the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) about the proposed triangular series, involving Australia in UAE ahead of the T20 World Cup.

“No news from the ACB,” Grave told Newsday. “We are planning to head to the UAE in early October to (go) through our mandatory six-day quarantine before having a few days training ahead of the International Cricket Council support period and our two warm-up games against India and Pakistan."