PCB invites West Indies to play two T20s in Pakistan in March

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has invited World T20 Champion West Indies to play two T20 matches in Pakistan in March 2017, said PCB Executive Committee Chairman Najam Sethi.

Sethi told that the proposal was sent as a precondition in response to another invitation by West Indies asking Pakistan to play two T20 matches in Florida, United States.

He said that the board is in touch with West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) on the matter. He claimed that PCB is trying its level best to end the drought of international cricket in Pakistan.

"We gave a proposal to WICB that after West Indies' tour to England, which will end on March 9, they can come to Pakistan between March 11 to 15," he said.

Sethi said that if West Indies agree to visit Pakistan, PCB will play two T20 matches in Florida by the end of March, as per the request of WICB.

The PCB executive committee chairman further elaborated that if West Indies comes to Pakistan then it will be a home series for Pakistani side and the T20s between the two nation in USA will become home series for West Indies.

Sethi said that West Indies players association did express reservation on the security issues in Pakistan, however, PCB is constantly in touch with WICB and trying to convince them.

He said, "We told them that the security situation had improved and Pakistan Super League final will also be played in Lahore. In this scenario, there is no reason to refuse a tour to Pakistan."

"If PSL final is held in Lahore, followed by World T20 Champions visit to play T20s in Lahore then this development will open the door of international cricket in Pakistan."

The PSL chairman also revealed that the chairman of Pakistan Task Team made by ICC, Giles Clarke, will also visit Pakistan soon.

"Clarke and his wife will come to Pakistan in January, he will be the guest of PCB and we will arrange his meeting with home secretary and will brief them about security in Lahore and Pakistan," he added.

There are signals that ICC would approve PCB's request to grant special fund to the board to compensate losses for not hosting international cricket, said Sethi.

He said that final call on matter related to PSL will be made on Feb 25.