PCB: preparing contingency plan in case India pull out

Karachi, Feb 24: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is preparing a contingency plan in case India pull out from their scheduled tour of Pakistan early next year, officials said on Thursday.

India is programmed for a three-Test tour in January-February next year after Pakistan crossed border in 1998 for a two-Test series. Pakistan also played an Asian Test Championship match at Calcutta besides participating in the tri-nation series defeating India and Sri Lanka for the title.

Yawar Saeed, PCB director, confirmed from Rawalpindi that the board was in the process of discussing how to plug the gap if India decline. "We have discussed several options. During the discussion, it was come to knowledge that Pakistan will be playing very little cricket with South Africa. So, the board is now evaluating how to arrange a series with them in Pakistan," he said.

He stated that Pakistan would like to play a three-Test series with South Africa but if that was not possible, Pakistan would like to organize a triangular one-day series with Zimbabwe as the third team. Yawar said the PCB has approached the United Cricket Board of South Africa (UCBSA) and inquired their availability.

"With so much cricket being played, all the teams are busy. But if they are available during January-February, they would be invited for a Test and tri-nation one-day series," he said.

Yawar was hoping that if South Africa disapproved the idea of Test series, they would accept the proposal of one-day competition because it would benefit both the teams in preparation for the 2003 World Cup.

The managing director of the UCBSA Dr Ali Bacher is expected to have a stop-over in Pakistan either on his way to India or during his return to South Africa. During his brief stay in Pakistan, the proposal is expected to be discussed further.

Bacher's tour of India is on cards as South Africa started their two-Test series in Mumbai on Thursday. The opener will be followed up by the second Test at Bangalore from March 2. The Test series will be followed up by five-match one-day series. South Africa and India will then join Pakistan in the Sharjah tournament to be contested on double-league.