Pakistan look forward to playing against India

Karachi, July 25: The chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Lt Gen Tauqir Zia said on Tuesday that he was confident that India would tour Pakistan later this year. Although he has not received tour confirmation from BCCI yet despite a reminder sent last week.

He, however, said if India refused to play three Tests and as many one-day internationals in Pakistan, he would have no objection in playing the series on neutral ground.

"We can play the series in Sharjah, Dhaka or Kuala Lumpur. I have no problem. But that would be the last option.

He was replying to a question if the PCB had prepared a contingency plan in case India cancelled the tour as in the past. Two days after the Indian series, Pakistan jet off to New Zealand for three Tests and five one-day internationals.

The general added that Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has expressed its desire to play the inaugural series against Pakistan. But he said the dates they have given clash with Pakistan's international commitments.

Bangladesh wants to play in November when Pakistan would be hosting England or in January when Pakistan would be busy against India.

The general, nevertheless, said if the series ended in cancellation from Indian side, Pakistan would make itself available to Bangladesh for the series. He said Pakistan would not press for a home series and would be prepared to play in Bangladesh.

He said one of the options available was to organize either a fivenation Super Sixes or Super Eight tournament. He gave no further details.

General Zia, who is also the chairman of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), said Pakistan was ready to organize and defend its Asian Test Championship title in front of its crowd. He, however, said the dates and venue have not been finalized.

He said the Asian Cricket Foundation (ACF) has been given the task to prepare the schedule of the tournament and the event management. He said the ACF's output would be discussed in mid-August in Sharjah before it is decided when and where the Asian Test Championship has to be organized.

The general defended his decision to finalize a three-match series against Sri Lanka in September in the desert city of Dubai. He also dispelled impression that his decision was an indication to Cricketers Benefit Fund Series (CBFS) that Pakistan would reduce its visits there.

"The series against Sri Lanka would serve as a warmup for the ICC knock-out tournament in Kenya. The team would proceed to Kenya from Dubai. The CBFS has no objection because they have been informed that the series was a warmup exercise besides being a promotional and development activity," he said.

The PCB chairman, on Pakistan Under-17's defeat in the final, said the boys played well and deserved encouragement. But he didn't mince words in expressing his dismay at the team management.