Pakistan to host India early next year

	India and Pakistan will face-off once again early next year © AFP

Pakistan will host India for three Tests and five ODIs early next year, and are also pushing for the inclusion of two Twenty20 internationals in the tour. While the itinerary is yet to be decided, this will be the fifth series between the two countries since bilateral ties were restored in 2004.

"Pakistan will host India for three Tests, five one-day internationals and one, or possibly two, Twenty20 internationals early next year," Nasim Ashraf, the PCB chairman, said in Islamabad.

"We are trying to convince India to play two Twenty20 matches as this type of cricket is getting popularity world-wide and a final itinerary will be announced after mutual consent," Ashraf said.

From 2000, bilateral ties between the two countries were stalled for four years due to political tensions, but the situation changed when India agreed to tour Pakistan in 2004.

Meanwhile, Ashraf gave details of Australia's tour to Pakistan, which had been postponed earlier this year due to security concerns. "Australia will start the five-match one-day series on April 23 as part of their commitment on the split tour, and then come back again in 2010 to play three Tests."

In their plans for the current calendar year, Pakistan are set to play a series of Twenty20 internationals against West Indies in Canada. "Both Pakistan and West Indies have given their consent to play a Twenty20 event in Canada in August," Ashraf said. "The dates and other modalities will be finalised soon."