The PCB has agreed to play its home tour against West Indies at Sharjah. This is consequent to the WICB insistence. This decision has been taken in the best interest of the game and the players.

We still do hold out that Pakistan is safe for cricket; the Sri Lankan U-19 has been here; Clive Lloyd found it safe enough during a coaching assignment; the English team is happy to be in the sub-continent by mid January 2002. However we do not wish to involve the ICC into this, aggravating the matter and causing further trouble for them. We will go ahead and play at a 3rd venue. Financially, the tour may find it difficult to break even.

We will certainly evaluate the matter of financial losses, that Pakistan is incurring continuously and one-sidedly, and perhaps take up the issue with the ICC for an appropriate redressal, at a later stage. The Chairman PCB, Lt Gen Zia, has meanwhile thanked the Bangladesh Cricket Board and the Emirates Cricket Board for their support in planning for this 3rd venue option.

With respect to playing cricket, Gen Tauqir further reiterates: "Our interest is in creating maximum opportunities for playing the game. Even with India, despite the current bellicosity, we are willing to play anywhere and at any place even if it means playing with India in India".

A revised itinerary of this Tour, which will probably be built around 2 Tests and 3 ODIs, will be released after mutual consultation with the West Indies Board. Tentatively, it will be from the last week of January to the 3rd week of February 2002.

Brig Munawar Ahmed Rana
Director PCB
Nanuary 8, 2002

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