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The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Friday said it would prefer to play its domestic international matches in the country rather than on neutral venues.

"We have accepted International Cricket Council's offer to play on neutral venue but that is our last option. We are still keen to play our matches in our country," the chairman of the PCB Lt Gen Tauqir Zia said.

Moroccan city of Tangiers and Sharjah, Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates have been highlighted as possible neutral venues which can come into play as early as February-March series against the West Indies.

"The situation in the country is peaceful and there is no law and order problem. Had there been security concerns, Sri Lanka would not have agreed to send its Under-19 team for five one-day matches," the PCB boss said.

He added that Pakistan was ready to give as much security guarantee as any country can give. "If New Zealand had come, they would have finished their tour without any concerns. "Same is the case with Sri Lanka for the three one-day games."

Tauqir said if a stage came when the West Indies or Australia (who are scheduled to tour Pakistan in 2002) refuse to travel to Pakistan, then it would decide the neutral venue.

"We are not going to accept Australia, New Zealand or West Indies. We will chose the venue to our liking and where we can enjoy maximum conditions," he said.

The PCB boss didn't say it clearly but said a precedence had been set where a country has threatened not to make a return tour though the option to play on neutral venue was still available to it.

He was referring to India who threatened to cancel its scheduled tour to England in 2002 if England cricketers refused to play the three-Test series in India because of security concerns.

Tauqir, who is also the president of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), said the Asian Test Championship final between Pakistan and Sri Lanka was likely to be a best-of- three though a decision would be made in January in Sharjah.

"Originally, Dhaka was to stage the final, Pakistan to host India and Pakistan to tour Sri Lanka. Now with India's withdrawal, each country is being affected. So why deny any country the right to earn revenues. The best solution is a best-of-three final with each country to stage one match.

"That would also help generate more funds through sponsorships and television," the ACC president said.

On Pakistan's decision to play in India, Tauqir said he would seek government clearance. But he said the foreign office would only be approached after India announces whether it was ready to host next year's ICC knockout tournament. The ICC has set India a deadline until February to confirm availability.

© Dawn