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The Cricketers Benefit Fund Series (CBFS) Sunday said Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has signed a three-year contract in which it will play at least one tournament a year.

The chairman of the CBFS, Abdul Rehman Bukhatir, told reporters that Sri Lanka and South Africa have also signed similar agreements while he was in discussions withthe West Indies, New Zealand and Zimbabwe.

He, however, clarified that signing the contract doesn't meant that Pakistan will have to appear every year here.

"They can appear in Sharjah or in Morocco, depending upon their availability," he said.

He said he was in contact with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) but added that there was no constructive development so far. "BCCI is dependent on government approval. I can't understand why they are not coming but at the same time I am convinced that they would come one day.

"I don't think their not coming to us has anything to do with Pakistan. It's a political matter and I believe it that to the politicians. But yes, India's not playing in Sharjah has certainly affected our budget. We have managed so far and hopefully will manage in the end," he said.

India has not played in Sharjah since October 2000 during which the CBFS organized four tournaments. But the frustration is evident on the CBFS officials' faces as there is clearly a sharp drop in the profits in the absence of sponsors who mostly are Indians.

Bukhatir said in India's absence, the other teams were demanding more money than they usually do. But he said he understood their stand and had no grievance.

Bukhatir said Ten Sports was launched to provide a cushion to the CBFS, adding that the sports channel was still young and needed to first sustain itself before it can pamper the organizations. "But yes, Ten Sports and the CBFS are supporting each other."

He said he was ambitious to have Tests at his centres and also indicated that he was willing to host Pakistan's home Test series in Sharjah. But at the same time, he admitted that the reception for the West Indies Tests was poor.

The CBFS chief defended his decision to make Tangiers as the latest venue by saying it was done because of climatic reasons.

"We can't play cricket in Sharjah at this time. But the weather here is excellent. We are developing more facilities and hopefully in years to come, it will emerge as one of the best centres.

"I know there will be a small spectators turn-out but that is understandable because there are very few cricket educated people here," he said.

© Dawn