Pakistan postpone Zimbabwe visit

Opportunities for players such as Brendan Taylor are becoming increasingly scarce © ICC

Pakistan have indefinitely postponed a three-match ODI series with Zimbabwe originally scheduled for September this year because the tour is unlikely to be an economically viable one.

The Pakistan Cricket Board had been thinking about the move for some time, though it was reluctant to make it official. It was reported in Pakistan recently that Shaharyar Khan, chairman PCB, had written to Zimbabwe cricket authorities, suggesting they play a Pakistan A team in a series of ODIs and four-day matches.

A senior official in the Pakistan board confirmed to Cricinfo that the series had been "postponed, possibly till 2008, though that is not final." Another cited the reason as the relative unattractiveness of Zimbabwe to broadcasters and sponsors alike.

"Our thinking was basically that organising a tour of three ODIs will not be particularly feasible in an economic sense especially given that Zimbabwe are not attractive tourists," explained the official. "Broadcasters I doubt will come for only three ODIs against Zimbabwe, though if it was linked with another tour then maybe they would be interested," he added.

There may still be a chance that Zimbabwe do come in that period, though only to play the A team. Reports suggest that Zimbabwe, who are under growing international pressure after a string of dismal performances, do not intend to dispute the PCB's decision to postpone the series. Instead, they now want Zimbabwe to play a series of matches against Pakistan A in Pakistan during that time period.

Meanwhile, The News reported that Zimbabwe are trying to attract clubs from Pakistan and elsewhere in Asia to provide a boost to its faltering first-class cricket structure.

Drawing from media reports in Zimbabwe, a week after dissolving traditional provincial structures, Zimbabwe cricket is trying to import at least two top club sides from Asia to help revive a first-class competition struggling to survive after over 30 experienced players either retired or left the country.

"ZC is in discussion with a number of cricket institutions with the willingness to send clubs to participate in first-class cricket in the country," the Independent quoted a source as saying. The source believes the clubs might come from Pakistan or India.