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Pakistan may contemplate against playing three Tests in Australia on its return tour if the world champions stick to their decision of scrapping the third Test from its forthcoming tour in October.

"If Australia play two Tests in Pakistan in October, we may play as many games when we visit there in Dec 2004," sources in the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said.

The Australian Cricket Board (ACB) has indicated to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) that it would visit between Oct 1 and 18 for two Tests only. The ACB has maintained that its players wanted proper time, ideally a first-class domestic competition match, to prepare themselves for the Ashes series starting Nov 7 at the Gabba.

The tour is originally scheduled between Oct 1 and 24 and comprises three Tests, as it has been for the last 30 years. The two boards are still in negotiations, with the PCB optimistic that the series would be a three-Test rubber.

The issue on the number of Tests has become a headache for the two boards after the ICC decided to stage the biennial Champions Trophy in Sri Lanka between Sept 12 and 30.

"According to the ICC Future Tours Programme, the series are to be played on reciprocity. This implies that Pakistan is morally bound to play as many Tests (in Australia) as Australia play in Pakistan during its forthcoming tour.

"If Australia doesn't play three Tests (in October), it should not expect Pakistan to play three Tests in 2004," the sources said.

Pakistan's straightforward and simple stand is commendable and is based on pure logic. No doubt Australia has the best cricketers who are true crowd pullers, but Pakistan is not too far behind. The only difference between the two teams is consistency in terms of results. But as regards flamboyance and charisma, Pakistan cricketers have their nose ahead.

Pakistan have probably taken the leaf out of India's book when the latter earlier this year forced England to play an additional one-day match.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) threatened England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) that it would not play four Tests this summer if England didn't appear in the originally planned sixth one-dayer. Ironically, the additional match helped England finish the series on an even note after trailing 3-1 at one stage.

"It's not a threat. Pakistan doesn't want to pressure anyone. But fact of the matter is that if Australia refuse to play the third Test, Pakistan will suffer financial losses."

Besides the financial setback, PCB fear that Pakistan would be labelled as a two-Test country. Their fears are justified as the West Indies and New Zealand, earlier this year, reduced their three-Test series to just two Tests.

Pakistan, according to ICC's ten-year programme, are to host India, Bangladesh and South Africa in 2003. And the PCB believe Australia's decision to play two Tests would set a wrong precedent.

As far as financial losses are concerned, the initial workout done by the PCB reflects that TransWorld International (TWI), its official broadcasters, will reduce its guarantee money since there will be only 10 days of Test cricket. Similarly, the sponsors approached by the PCB have also shown a lukewarm response to a two-Test series while the same sponsors have made impressive bids for a three-Test series.

It is understood that the percentage of revenue from 15 days of cricket drops significantly if there are only 10 days of Test cricket. It is something that concerns the PCB, particularly after financial losses it suffered in the last 15 months.

Pakistan has claimed losses worth 25 million dollars, including 15 million from Indian withdrawal alone, because of various reasons.

The PCB clarified that August's triangular series, also involving New Zealand, was part of Australia's full tour. But at the same time it expects that Australia would reciprocate Pakistan's appearance in June's three-match Super Challenge by taking part in a tri-nation series sometime next year.

If the three-nation series in Pakistan goes ahead, it will precede Bangladesh's scheduled tour to Pakistan. Bangladesh is slated to be the third team in the tournament.

© Dawn