Pakistan will play three one-day internationals at the start of the 2003 English season, the Pakistan Cricket Board have confirmed.

"We have been invited to play three one-day internationals in England at the start of their season and we have accepted the invitation," PCB chairman Lieutenant General Tauquir Zia said.

The England and Wales Cricket Board is expected to announce the dates and venues for the matches shortly.

England will host Zimbabwe and South Africa for a Test series and a triangular one-day tournament next year.

Pakistan will tour England after their scheduled home series against India, which is due to be played between April 7 and May 20.

But India are unlikely to tour Pakistan after severing cricketing ties as a protest against Islamabad's alleged support of a Muslim insurgency in the troubled Himalayan state of Kashmir, which is divided between the neighbours.

Pakistan played two Tests and a triangular one-day series in England last year and are due to undertake a full tour in 2005.

© Wisden CricInfo Ltd