Pakistan set to host an ODI series in April
Mar 25, 2016 at 2:02 PM
Pakistan is set to get a huge boost as they are planning to host an international cricket series against Afghanistan in the next month.
In the middle of last year, Zimbabwe was the first Test playing nation to visit Pakistan since a terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in 2009. 2-match T20I series and 3-match ODI series had been played between Pakistan and Zimbabwe in May 2015; which Pakistan had organized almost successfully.
Now Pakistan is looking to host another international series against Afghanistan in the month of April. Probably, it will be 3-match ODI series. Pakistan is planning for the series to fill the long gap before the tour of England, which is scheduled to begin in July 2016.
A PCB (Pakistan Cricket Board) official told the Express Tribune, “There is a series against Afghanistan in the pipeline, with Pakistan keen on hosting them in April. The discussions between the PCB and the Afghanistan Cricket Board have taken place. Initially, two four-day matches and three ODIs were proposed, but it might have to be limited to just three ODIs as we’ve got the Pentangular Cup scheduled as well.”
Afghanistan has already agreed to tour Pakistan. The matches are expected to be played Karachi’s National Stadium and Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium. For the security clearances, the PCB has submitted a written request to the Sindh and Punjab governments.
PCB spokesperson Amjad Hussain Bhatti confirmed the news by saying, “We are planning to host Afghanistan.”
He added, “The board has already sent a request to the Sindh and Punjab governments for security clearances. We will announce the series as soon as we receive confirmation.”
Apart from this, Pakistan is also hoping to host a World XI in September this year. For this reason, English and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) Chairman Giles Clarke is being expected to visit Pakistan in April.