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Pakistan's plans to organize a quadrangular one-day series, also involving India, in March next year became uncertain after the West Indies announced its schedule for the year 2002.

The West Indies, bypassing the 10-year itinerary finalized by the International Cricket Council (ICC), announced to host India and New Zealand at the same period when they are supposed to be in Pakistan for a three-Test series. The PCB, utilizing the West Indies presence in Pakistan and Zimbabwe's appearance in a two-Test series in India, had suggested to its Indian counterparts for a four-nation series with the West Indies and Zimbabwe being the other two opponents.

The proposal had received a strong backing from A.C Muthiah and Jayawant Lele when they were here late last month for the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) meeting. The series was tentatively fixed for March after the West Indies and Zimbabwe had completed their Test assignments in Pakistan and India. But with the latest West Indies announcement, not only the Test and the one-day series becomes doubtful, it will directly result in huge financial losses to the PCB which last year had to bear the loss of $15million after India refused to cross borders for a bilateral series.

The Pakistan and Indian officials had approved the series in an effort to cover $15million losses through television rights and sponsors which they would have easily got in the backdrop of India's participation.

The West Indies announcement also came despite Pakistan's protest to its counterparts to keep their tour promise. The PCB had also written to the ICC who, in return, gave Pakistan a firm commitment that the West Indies will tour Pakistan. "If the West Indies doesn't come to Pakistan, then the 10-year plan goes for a six!" PCB chairman Lt Gen Tauqir Zia said from Rawalpindi. "I don't want to make the issue public. Instead I would like to talk to the West Indies officials during the ICC meeting at Lord's," he said.

The other interesting part to the West Indies announcement is Indian officials double standards. At the same time, they have made two commitments - agreeing to tour the West Indies and playing in Pakistan.

The other gross violation of the 10-year plan is that in February and March, New Zealand are fixed to host England whereas the ICC's itinerary reveals they are supposed to be in the Caribbean during June-July. Similarly, India have been slated to tour the West Indies in April.

© Dawn