West Indies Mull Playing T20Is In Pakistan
Dec 31, 2018 at 2:03 PM
The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) has confirmed they are planning to send their national team to Pakistan which is with subject to clearance and a nod from West Indies Players’ Association (WIPA) for two Twenty20 Internationals in March, after receiving foolproof security plans from Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), in a bid to revive cricket in Pakistan in 2017.
“There is an offer (from the PCB) to play two T20 matches in Pakistan, subject to Players’ Association agreement and security clearance,” WICB manager of cricket operations Roland Holder was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.
Sportzwiki has learnt the decision will be made final after the WICB takes the stock of situation in Pakistan by visiting the venues.
“The WICB has received a security plan from the PCB, which we have forwarded to our internal security manager, WIPA and an independent international security firm whom we have also engaged to provide a security report,” Holder said.
The PCB executive committee chairman Najam Sethi stated that the cricket governing body is in touch with the Windies board and we have assured them foolproof security for the limited overs cricket in Pakistan.
“We’ve assured the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) that Pakistan was safe for all types of cricket activities now. They seem agree to send their team for the two Twenty20 Internationals here in March,” said PCB official quoted as saying by APP.
Earlier, the PCB in their recent meetings with the International Cricket Council (ICC), held talks with Sri Lankan cricket boards following the inputs given to Caribbean cricket body to consider visiting Pakistan after the conclusion of PSL.
“West Indies wants us to play two games in Florida before our full-fledged series with them, so we have suggested them that we would play in Florida if they come to Pakistan and play two matches with us,” Sethi said.
Since the attack on Sri Lankan team in Lahore in 2009, the West Indies is likely to become the first touring side after Zimbabwe toured Pakistan in 2015.
On March 3rd of 2009, the second Test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka was abandoned following the gruesome attack on the Sri Lankan team when they were on their way to Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore for third day’s play when Pakistan’s side was resuming the innings after the overnight score of 110 for 1 in response to Lanka’s first innings mammoth total of 606.
Lahore, which is scheduled to host Pakistan Super League final on March 9, will host two T20s on March 18 and 19 respectively if the West Indies happen to tour Pakistan. Both teams are also scheduled to play two more T20s at Lauderhill in Florida.
Last year, the WICB refused to send their team to Pakistan over security reasons.