Football
Reuters 18y

Cricket-Pakistan set to postpone Zimbabwe one-dayers

KARACHI, April 20 - Pakistani cricket authorities
are unwilling to host a depleted Zimbabwe side for a series of
one-day internationals later this year, an official told
Reuters on Thursday.

The African nation was due to arrive in Pakistan for a test
and one-day series in September, but a players' strike forced
the Zimbabwe Cricket Union (ZCU) to postpone all test cricket
until next February.

The ZCU interim committee added it would continue to play
one-day internationals but not tests, due to the depleted
strength of the squad.

Unhappy with the situation, a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)
official told Reuters that a letter had been sent to the ZCU
asking them to arrange a full test and one-day international
tour next year.

"It is not feasible for us to host them only for one-dayers
this year. We have told them it would be better if they come
next year for a full series," said the PCB official, speaking
on condition of anonymity.

"They were due to play tests in Pakistan in 2004. But
toured only for the one-day games after the ICC suspended their
test status. We want this backlog of tests cleared because of
the new future tours programme," he said.

He said that the ZCU had asked the PCB to reconsider its
decision not to host their team this year.

"We are in the process of having discussions with them and
one possibility is that we might end up having a triangular
one-day series with Zimbabwe and the West Indies."

Pakistan is due to host West Indies for three tests and
three one-dayers at the end of the year and the official added
that the tour had been confirmed.

The dispute between the ZCU and leading players began when
Tatenda Taibu resigned as Zimbabwe captain last year and
announced his retirement from international cricket to protest
against his home nation's running of the sport.

^ Back to Top ^