LAHORE – The Pakistan Cricket Board on Saturday made it clear the security situation in the country has forced it to organise matches at neutral venues.
An official of the board said that Pakistan would play more major home series at neutral venues because of the refusal of teams to play in Pakistan.
The official said the England and Wales Cricket Board had confirmed a full series of three Tests, five one-day internationals and a T20 match against Pakistan in early 2012 but the series would now most probably be played at venues in the United Arab Emirates.
“There is nothing we can do as far as the security situation is concerned. We keep on our process of convincing teams to come and play in Pakistan but until the security situation is clear we just have to rely on neutral venues,” Subhan Ahmed, PCB’s Chief Operating Officer, told reporters.
“The ECB has confirmed the number of matches for January-February 2012 and venues are being finalised. The series is part of the ICC future tours programme,” Subhan said.
Ahmed also said that Sri Lanka were also due to play a “home” series in Pakistan in October-November next year but that series could also be held at a neutral venue or even in Sri Lanka.
But the finalisation of the series against England is good news for Pakistan cricket as relations between the two boards have been strained since September after a statement by the PCB Chairman following the spot-fixing scandal in England during the Pakistan team’s tour.
ECB provided neutral venues to Pakistan for its “home” series against Australia this year.
Subhan said the PCB was constantly in touch with other boards including India to play in Pakistan but the tight international schedule also prevented things from taking shape.
“We ourselves are not in a position to host Zimbabwe for a one-day series soon although they have agreed to come to Pakistan. Simply because our team is busy until June next year and we don’t have any cricket in July and August and then we’ll play against Sri Lanka,” he explained.
“Even if we manage to play the series against India which was cancelled in early 2009 after the Mumbai incident, the matches would be split in different time frames,” he said.
He said the country needs to host junior matches to help change the perception of its security capabilities before it seeks to stage senior international matches again.
The new Chief Operating Officer said that negotiations with a number of cricket boards are ongoing, but added the process “will be slow and a lot will depend on the security situation in Pakistan.”
Ahmed said the PCB is negotiating with Bangladesh to host its junior team and hoped “something will materialise.”
Pakistan has been forced to organise its home series in the United Arab Emirates and England after a group of gunmen attacked a bus carrying the Sri Lanka cricket team in Lahore last year. Six police officials and a van driver were killed in the attack.
He further said the PCB is keen for its players to participate in the lucrative Indian Premier League 2011 despite being snubbed this year. Pakistani players have not participated in the last two editions of the IPL due to political tensions between the two countries although over a dozen Pakistanis played for different franchises in the inaugural edition of the T20 league that attracts players from every cricketing nation.
Last year the Indian franchises did not bid for any Pakistani cricketer although the PCB had sent names of around 10 players after giving them clearance.
Subhan said the board had contacted the Indian Cricket Board on the issue.
“We have written to the Indian board that we are willing to provide any clearance to our players for the IPL,” Ahmed said.
“We want Pakistani participation in the IPL, that is our official stand but obviously we need the Indian board to talk to us.”
Ahmed said that under the new rules framed by the IPL no Pakistani player could take part in the league for any franchise before getting clearance from both boards.
“No player can individually be approached or can approach any franchise now for a contract,” he said.
