Cricket set to return to Pakistan; may host Zimbabwe in ODI, T20 series

Pakistan Cricket Team

Cricket-starved Pakistani fans may finally get a chance to rejoice as talks between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Zimbabwe Cricket Union (ZCU) are in final stages for organising a bilateral one-day international series and T20 series to be held in Pakistan.

A tentative itinerary comprising of three one-day internationals and two T20 matches have been sent to ZCU and PCB is waiting for a final confirmation, said a senior official of PCB.

The official said, "They had asked for a security plan for the series and we have also sent them that. We are now expecting them to give final confirmation when PCB Chairman, Shaharyar Khan meets with his ZCU counterpart on the sidelines of the ICC meeting this month.”

Under the proposed itinerary sent, the teams will play two one-day internationals and a T20 match in Lahore and a ODI and T20 game in Karachi.

The official further added, “This time we are getting positive vibes from the ZCU and hopefully this series will be played onwards from mid-May immediately after the Pakistan team returns from Bangladesh”. He said that the PCB has fully addressed the security concerns of ZCU in its proposed plan for the series after thorough consultations with the government.

Since the deadly attack on Sri Lankan team in Lahore in 2009, no other test playing nation has toured Pakistan out of security concerns. In 2012, Bangladesh pulled out at the last moment after confirming for the tour. Since 2009, Pakistan played Afghanistan and Kenya on their home soil in short one day series in Lahore.

The official is hopeful that the situation will further improve and more teams will agree to come to Pakistan.

“We are also negotiating with two associate member nations to send their teams to Pakistan including the Netherlands,” he said.

Pakistan and Zimbabwe last faced off in Zimbabwe two years ago and it seems now that a tour is very much on and an agreement is likely to be inked at the International Cricket Council (ICC) meeting in Dubai next week.