CWI, PCB in touch over December tour

West Indies Cricket Board (CWI) are in talks with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) over their upcoming limited-overs series in Pakistan. The Babar Azam-led side visited the Caribbean in July-August for two Tests and four T20Is and were slated to host West Indies in a return series of three ODIs and as many T20Is in December. However, the recent development where New Zealand and England cancelled their Pakistan tours due to security concerns has put the series in jeopardy.

CWI wants to be fully convinced before they make a call on their visit. The fate of the West Indies series will decide whether Australia visit Pakistan next year or not. If West Indies pull out of the Pakistan series, it will be very hard for PCB to convince Australia to come and play in Pakistan.

For a long time, Pakistan was barred from hosting matches owing to security issues. However, of late, teams like West Indies, South Africa and Sri Lanka have visited the country. After hosting New Zealand and England, and later Australia, Pakistan could have bid for an ICC event in the country. However, all those plans have been put to rest now.

Meanwhile, West Indies were set to play a triangular series with Australia and Afghanistan in UAE ahead of the T20 World Cup. However, CWI CEO Johny Grave revealed they have not heard from the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) over the same. “No news from the ACB,” Grave told Newsday. “We are planning to head to the UAE in early October to (go) through our mandatory six-day quarantine before having a few days training ahead of the International Cricket Council support period and our two warm-up games against India and Pakistan.”