Pakistan seek to host tri-series next season

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has asked the ICC to allow it to host a triangular one-day series with Zimbabwe and West Indies in October-November this year following the cancellation of Zimbabwe's two-Test series that was scheduled for September.

Shaharyar Khan, the PCB chairman, said on Friday, "Under the FTP [Future Tours Programme] we are supposed to play three one-day internationals against Zimbabwe after the Champions Trophy is held in India in October. Then in November-December we are scheduled to play three Tests and three ODIs against West Indies. Now we are trying to have just one tri-series."

Zimbabwe has suspended their Test activities until February 2007 in a bid to sort out its internal problems, and question-marks also remain over whether they would be able to fulfil their one-day commitments. Their leading players have refused to play under any administration headed by Peter Chingoka, who presently also holds the Zimbabwe Cricket Union interim committee.

Saleem Altaf, the PCB Director Cricket Operations, said he saw no reason why the ICC should have any objection to the tri-series if both Zimbabwe and West Indies were in agreement. He stated: "Basically, we'll be organising just one extra match and will have seven ODIs in the tri-series instead of the scheduled six."

Altaf also said that while Pakistan had submitted a letter of intent to host the 2008 Champions Trophy, it was up to the ICC to decide what to do. "Even if we don't get the hosting rights it will not be a big setback for us but we are keen to have this tournament in Pakistan."