PCB optimistic about hosting Australia despite COVID concerns

Australia are due to tour Pakistan in March-April next year. However, in a major setback to Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the three-match ODI series between Pakistan and West Indies got postponed due to the COVID-19 outbreak. PCB's inability to provide a safe environment to West Indies players was a big dent to their hopes of hosting England and Australia, especially in the time of the Pandemic.

However, PCB Chief Operating Officer (COO) Salman Naseer is optimistic that the recent happening won't have any impact on the Australia tour of Pakistan. “There should be absolutely no impact on Australia’s Pakistan tour,” Salman told a news conference here at the National Stadium.

Recently, the Cricket Australia (CA) security experts had visited Pakistan to check security arrangements. The delegation team also witnessed two T20I matches in Karachi stadium between Pakistan and West Indies. Over the years, Pakistan have been deprived of international cricket due to security issues. Recently, New Zealand and England also cancelled their tours citing the same. However, Australia stood firm on its stance of visiting Pakistan. Salman said the security experts were satisfied with the arrangements and have given a green signal to the series. As for the bio-secure environment, he said that CA and PCB will work together to decide the protocols. “Their security experts arrived here and saw everything which was in place for the West Indies series and I hope they returned satisfied. As far as bio-secure matters are concerned, both the cricket boards will sit together to decide the protocols before the series,” Salman said.

On the other hand, the three-match ODI series between West Indies and Pakistan have been rescheduled for June 2022. Salman said the decision to postpone the series was taken keeping in mind the West Indies players’ safety and wellbeing. Salman concluded by saying that the West Indies team are returning home with a positive attitude and were satisfied with the security arrangements.

“They are satisfied with the arrangements we made for the series and that is why they have agreed to return and complete the series. As regards financial loss, we have requested them to come again for a three-T20 series and hopefully, it will be finalized soon,” Salman said.