Pakistan may not play host to any country in 1999-2000 (10 April 1999)

10 April 1999

Pakistan may not play host to any country in 1999-2000

Samiul Hasan

KARACHI, April 9: Pakistan may not be able to host any international cricket event in the coming 1999-2000 season, an official of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said.

Chief executive Majid Khan admitted from Lahore that he feared that no international cricket might be organized as all the teams were busy with their commitments.

"But we haven't lost hope. We are trying and in the International Cricket Council (ICC) management meeting at Sharjah (on April 11) I will talk to a couple of my counterparts," Majid said.

Pakistan, according to schedule, were to host the West Indies. But they have informed their inability to tour Pakistan because in September and October they would be playing in their own limited overs competition. According to a contract between the sponsors and the West Indies cricket board, all the Test players have to appear in that competition.

Pakistan cannot host any team from November onwards as they are scheduled to tour Australia for a three-Test series which will be followed by the Carton and United tri-nation one-day series also involving India besides the host country.

An invitation to Sri Lanka was sent. But Majid Khan said a Sri Lanka have informed us that they are committed during September and October.

"I will discuss the subject with both the West Indies and Sri Lanka board officials and will try to pursue them to reschedule their commitments," Majid said.

However, the participation of Sri Lanka in the chief executives meeting in Sharjah was doubtful as the Sri Lankan cricket board has been dissolved by a judge. Majid said he will request Steve Camacho, West Indies cricket board chief executive, to review the decision and proceed with the scheduled tour.

Source :: Dawn (https://dawn.com/)