PCB hopeful West Indies will review decision

Despite a decision by the West Indies Cricket Board to scrap its forthcoming tour to Pakistan due to security concerns, cricket-starved Pakistan is hopeful that the series would still take place.

Claiming that there were signs of easing up of Indo-Pak tension and banking on the visit of former West Indian captain Clive Lloyd, Pakistan Cricket Board officials said they would prevail on the West Indies Board to review its decision.

Lloyd was due to arrive here from Sharjah today to begin a coaching camp for Pakistani youngsters. He was expected to be briefed by PCB about the situation.

PCB may have to resort to playing at a neutral venue, an idea not altogether ruled out by WICB in its communication to PCB, but their first choice of course would be to host them here.

The West Indies were due to arrive here on January 25 for three Tests and three ODIs.

PCB Chairman Lt Gen Tauqir Zia said he was monitoring the situation and a decision to shift the series to a neutral venue would be taken after the likely meeting between Indian and Foreign Ministers during the SAARC summit in Kathmandu.

"We would look for a neutral venue only if the foreign ministers meeting fails. If the meeting is constructive and situation eases out on the borders, we would press for the series to be played in Pakistan," Zia, also a serving General in Pakistan Army, told the media here.

Pakistan have not played Test cricket since June when they beat England in the second of the two Tests in England to draw the series.

Mail Cricket Editor