PCB plans triangular series

LAHORE - Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Zaka Ashraf is planning to hold a Triangular series to bring back international cricket in Pakistan to be held in October and November, it has been learnt.  Afghanistan and Zimbabwe will be other participants of the triangular series beside hosts Pakistan, the source revealed on Friday. Pakistan Cricket Board has earlier requested the Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) to change schedule of Pakistan tour to Zimbabwe that was to be held in November and December prior to Pakistan’s India tour. Zimbabwe Cricket authorities agreed to postpone the tour to next year and the dates of tour will be finalised later.

Zimbabwe team will not play international matches after next month’s ICC World Twenty20 (T20) following the Pakistan Cricket Board proposal to have their tour, which was scheduled for November, postponed to next year, it has been learnt. If Zaka Ashraf succeeded in holding the triangular series in a successful manner that will be his other achievement after revival of cricketing ties with India, the source added. The source revealed that Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is negotiating with Afghanistan and Zimbabwe cricket boards officials to finalise the itinerary of the Triangular series to be held in October and November.

Earlier, the Pakistan Cricket Board has also delayed launching of Pakistan Twenty20 league till March 2013 for this triangular series, the source added. Pakistan was due to play two Tests, three one-day internationals (ODIs) and two T20 international matches in Zimbabwe ahead of their much-hyped tour to India in December.  Pakistan will tour India in late December to play three ODIs and two T20 internationals and the series is being given a lot of importance as it will herald the revival of bilateral cricket ties between the two nations which were frozen since 2007.  On the other hand, Zimbabwe Cricket head of media and communications Shingai Rhuhwaya confirmed the postponement of Pakistan series and said the two boards were now in discussion to find a suitable time on the international calendar where it can be rescheduled.

“Yes, I can confirm that the Pakistan tour has been postponed to next year after the PCB requested more time to prepare for their tour of India in December. The two boards are still in discussion to reschedule the tour to next year. Zimbabwe Cricket is also in discussions to have the limited-over leg of the tour turned into a triangular series,” said Rhuhwaya without disclosing the name of the country.

“Without any international matches lined up until the end of the year, Zimbabwe team players will focus their attention on the domestic league which gets underway early October.”

A Pakistan Cricket Board source confirmed the latest development. “But we have now asked them to postpone this to next year as the dates clash with the Indian tour. “We tried to adjust the series in November, but at that time the Zimbabwe Cricket Union has some issues,” the official said.

The official insisted that Pakistan was keen to support Zimbabwe cricket and had invited them regularly to play. “But unfortunately this time we are facing problems in creating a proper window because immediately after the Indian tour, we also have a full tour to South Africa,” he said. He said Pakistan had no intention of cancelling the tour, but only wanted it moved to next year. Pakistan’s last tour to Zimbabwe took place last year. The Test series was supposed to be new ZC managing director WilfredMukondiwa’s first since he took over from Ozias Bvute.