NZ to tour in March-April, says Tauqir

Abbottabad, Oct 1: The Pakistan Cricket Control Board (PCB) are hoping that New Zealand's tour to Pakistan would be rescheduled in March- April next year, chairman of the board Lt Gen Tauqir Zia told reporters.

The Black Caps tour was cancelled in the wake of terrorist attacks on the United States.

Zia said the PCB had lost Rs800million to Rs900million because of series cancellations this year. Besides New Zealand, India refused to cross borders this year.

The PCB boss appreciated Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka (BCCSL) gesture of offering to make a short tour in October. Commenting on India and Pakistan cricket relations, the PCB official said they were in good terms while cancellation of the tours was due to New Delhi's refusal.

He hoped that the International Cricket Council (ICC) will be in positive mood for flourishing the sport in the sub-continent.-PPI

Karachi desk adds: Interestingly, a press statement released by board's media manager Monday maintained that the slot available for the proposed tour was from end April to August, "a fact which was universally known". "A lot of information cannot be shared with the media, unless and until the arrangements are firmed up," the statement adds.