PCB claims West Indies showing interest in touring Pakistan

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has been trying everything to bring back international cricket to Pakistan. As per the recent IANS reports, the PCB Chief Najam Sethi has quoted that the West Indies team is keen on travelling Pakistan for a short series. The series is expected to be a T20 International series. Over the last couple of months, Najam Sethi has come out with bold statements time and again. Sethi had earlier quoted that the cricket board is in talks with a top cricket playing nation for touring Pakistan.

An official close to the PCB had then confirmed the names of Sri Lanka and West Indies being in line for the tour. However, the Sri Lankan counterparts were quick to deny that they showed interest in touring the abandoned cricket venue. No top team has toured Pakistan ever since the terrorist attacks on the Sri Lankan team back in 2009. Zimbabwe had toured the country in 2015 for a limited overs series. Other countries like Afghanistan and Kenya have toured Pakistan since then. However, no major Test team has made their presence.

Earlier in 2016, West Indies were scheduled to play 3 Test, 3 ODIs and 3 T20Is against Pakistan. PCB had tried convincing the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) to let the matches go underway in Pakistan. However, the WICB denied and the tour went ahead being played in the UAE. Now PCB Executive Najam Sethi has said that they have made a proposal to West Indies for a tour in March after their England tour. In return, Pakistan will play 2 T20Is in Florida against them.

“West Indies have asked to make satisfactory security for the team. We gave a proposal to WICB that after West Indies’ tour (against England on March 9), they can visit Pakistan between March 11 to March 15,” quoted Najam Sethi. Whether the tour gets underway or not, remains to be seen.