Toronto may not host one-dayers

Karachi: The Canadian city of Toronto may not host any one-day internationals next month after India pulled out of the five-match series against Pakistan.

A representative of the TransWorld International (TWI) admitted that at the moment there was no alternative available because the decision has been announced when the series in just round the corner.

He added that they have no confirmation if any of the Test playing countries was available. He said it was still not known that if any of the teams was available, would it play six one-day internationals - three each against Pakistan and India - like the West Indies last year.

"Frankly speaking, the news has come as a complete surprise. We were confident that the series would be held. But with the Indian decision being announced, it wouldn't be unjustified to say that at the moment we have no alternative available.

"If the West Indies agreed to play six matches, it is not necessary that any other team would also agree on the same terms. Besides, we are still not sure if India has refused to tour Canada to play in a two-nation tournament or they don't want to play in Toronto at all," Commander Malik Arshed Gilani said.

He, however, added that he would talk to the headquarters in London and take further advice. "I think we will be able to announce the decision of the matches in Canada by Friday afternoon. But at the moment, the picture is very gloomy," he remarked.

He said the cancellation of the matches involving Pakistan and India would mean that they gain nothing. "But will have to bear all the loses. It would be a complete loss because we have already made preparations which have cost us millions."

He said the contract with the two boards was to play five series' in Canada. "One school of thought is that the two teams have to play 25 matches in five years. The other argument is that each team would visit Toronto between 1996 and 2000.

"Technically, India and Pakistan have contested three series'. But if the series has to be extended, both the teams will have to mutually agree," Gilani said.