Pakistan, India to renew rivalry in Toronto

Karachi, April 6: The five-match one-day series between Pakistan and India will be played as per schedule in Toronto, Canada, between Sept 12 and 19.

India have so far agreed to participate in the series after pulling out from the previous event because of political tension on the border.

"There is no reason to believe India won't play in the Toronto series in September. TransWorld International (TWI) are in constant touch with the Indian cricket board officials and we have not been hinted so far that they are contemplating pulling out," Commander Arshad Gilani, chief area coordinator for the TWI, said on Thursday.

India, since June 1999, have declined to face Pakistan in a one-to-one series. They, however, played Pakistan in Australia and Sharjah where more than two teams were involved.

India have already confirmed their tour to Pakistan next year for the Asia Cup where Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will be the other participants. But their visit for three Tests and as many one-day internationals early next year is still doubtful.

The director of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Yawar Saeed said on Wednesday that discussions with Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) were held in Sharjah last week.

The chairman of the PCB, Lt-Gen Tauqir Zia, told them (BCCI officials) that we would welcome their team with open arms. I think that is enough to pass on the message as to how keen we are to host them and play anywhere in the world besides on the soil of the two countries, he said from Islamabad.

The TWI representative added that no third team has been approached as back-up if India maintain status quo in its current policy. West Indies were introduced last year as third team and played three matches each against India and Pakistan. "As per contract, India and Pakistan have to play five series' in Toronto. Since they didn't play each other last year, this time it is going to be the fourth edition and the series would be extended to 2001 when the two face in the final series," Gilani said.

South Africa to tour Pakistan: South Africa will play three one-day internationals in Pakistan but the PCB officials were trying to get a third team to organize a triangular series.

Yawar Saeed said the sponsors of the series, LG, will go through the international calendar and if possible, invite a third team. "We want to organize a triangular series because the interest is more and matches can be distributed to other centers as well," he said.

The PCB director, however, said if third team couldn't be added, the three games between South Africa and Pakistan would be staged under the Qadhafi Stadium floodlights.

The three will be played in the first week of September. "The triangular series means seven matches in 10 days which is quite feasible," he said.

Floodlights: The contract for installing floodlights at the National Stadium and Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium will be signed at the cricket headquarters in Lahore on April 12.

Yawar Saeed said Philips have been awarded the job to install lights at the two centers. He said no deadline has been set but added that the company has been informed that the board wants the stadia ready in October.