Pakistan and England to organise more junior tours

Pakistan A and junior cricket teams are to tour England within the next couple of years as both cricket boards have agreed in principle on the exchange of visits. Shaharyar Khan, chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), said that he had reached an understanding with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on the exchange of cricket tours at the junior level.

"Pakistan A and junior teams are likely to tour England within the next couple of years. One of the teams will be in England next year," he said. "These tours help the youngsters gain confidence ahead of more serious and professional cricket. The international exposure makes talented youngsters more mature."

The ECB is also planning to send their junior and A teams to Pakistan. "This is a sort of junior teams exchange programme and players from both countries would be involved in it," he said. The Pakistan senior team will tour England again in 2012, and it is the first time in many decades that there is a gap of almost six years between the two tours to the country.

"I know it is a long gap. But this is how the ICC Future Tours Programme (FTP) has been finalised. It is possibly the only country in the world (England) where teams can play summer cricket and ECB has got too busy a programme over the years."

England on the other hand has two visits to Pakistan over the next six years that does not include their trip to the subcontinent for the 2011 World Cup.

Meanwhile, the PCB has nominated Brigadier Munawwar Rana on the FTP's committee that would look into the reservations of member countries. Munawwar had already served on one of the ICC committees a few years back. "Some apprehensions have been shown by the ICC member countries regarding the next seven tour programmes and a committee has been formed to look into their concerns", Shaharyar said. "We have nominated Brig. (rtd) Munawwar Ahmad Rana on the PCB's behalf to look into these objections".

Shaharyar added that the PCB had no concerns on the programme as it was already facing a hectic schedule ahead. "There are some member countries who have shown concern. As far as Pakistan is concerned, we already have a hectic schedule ahead. This is irrespective of the fact that during some seasons, we do not have enough international cricket and a few are quite hectic."