Pakistan invite England

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Hmmmm…Interesting move by PCB I must say.

If India refuse to play Test and ODI series in Pakistan, which I believe India will, England and Srilanka will be on tour of Pakistan in April or May, 2003.

South Africa and Bangladesh have already accepted invitation late next year.

SOURCE: BBC

**Pakistan are hoping that Sri Lanka and England will visit early next year for a one-day series if India are unable to go through with their scheduled tour.

India are due to play three Tests and three one-dayers in Pakistan, according to the International Cricket Council (ICC) fixture list.

But the Indian government has for the last two years refused to allow the teams to play Tests against each other. **

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Tauqir Zia said both the Sri Lankan board and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) had been contacted regarding their availability after the World Cup.

Zia added that he was confident that Sri Lanka and England could be convinced to play the triangular series in April or May.

Pakistan have not hosted a series since a bomb blast in May forced New Zealand to cut short their tour.

Australia asked to play their three-Test series at neutral venues in November.

But both South Africa and Bangladesh have agreed to tour late next year

After the World Cup final on 23 March, Pakistan and Sri Lanka travel to Sharjah, where they take on South Africa in a one-day tournament from 1-10 April.

England’s next international fixture is the first Test of the domestic season, against Zimbabwe on 22 May.

Pakistan are due to play a three-match one-day NatWest Challenge series in England in late June, directly before the NatWest Series, involving England, Zimbabwe and South Africa.

Normally, sides make a return trip after a team has toured.

England last toured Pakistan in 2000, losing the one-day series 2-1, but winning a three-Test series 1-0.

Zia said he had held a teleconference with the Indian board and ICC officials and asked them to set a deadline for confirming the tour.

**“Right now we have not set a date for them to confirm the tour, but we would like them to do so as soon as possible,” ** he said.

**“We can’t afford to keep waiting for long.” **

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Good decision, its going to be an exciting series.

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As the World Cup tournament ends, Sharjah Cup Begins. :smiley:

Sri Lanka, South Africa, Pakistan to play in Sharjah Cup

SHARJAH (United Arab Emirates): Pakistan, Sri Lanka and South Africa will feature in the Sharjah Cup in April.

“All three teams have confirmed their entries and we have also finalised the itinerary,” Zahid Noorani, chief executive of the Cricketers’ Benefit Fund Series who organise international cricket in Sharjah, told Reuters on Wednesday. “It will be the first tournament after the World Cup.” The winners of the event, running from April 1-10, will receive $120,000, with $80,000 for the runners-up and $50,000 for third place.

**Schedule: **

April 1: Sri Lanka v South Africa

April 3: Pakistan v South Africa

April 4: Pakistan v Sri Lanka

April 6: Pakistan v South Africa

April 7: Sri Lanka v South Africa

April 8: Pakistan v Sri Lanka

April 10: Final.

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and england is not ver thrilled abt touring pakistan rite after the world cup so PCB can dreamon abt inviting england … however, to improve rankings, they can invite bangladesh, kenya, and zimbabwe to play in pakistan so only these teamz are up2 pakistan’s standard :k: rest are just a bit 2 much 4 poor pakistani team :stuck_out_tongue:

:wave:

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LOL@Brain Masala

Though, I agree with the comments made by Fletcher, Ashes need a break, but keep in mind, Pakistan is going to be on the tour of England in June, 2003.

Fletcher plays down Pakistan trip

England are unlikely to accept an invitation from the Pakistan Cricket Board to take part in a triangular one-day series next April.

The PCB is drawing up contingency plans in case India refuse to undertake a scheduled tour at that time because of ongoing political problems between the two countries.

They have asked the England and Wales Cricket Board and officials in Sri Lanka whether their teams would be available.

But England coach Duncan Fletcher believes his players will need a break following the World Cup, which takes place in February and March.

**"We have got to play more one-day cricket but that doesn’t mean to say that every time we have a break, we need to fill it.

“We have to make sure we put a plan of action together which will enable us to play more one-day cricket at suitable times.” **

Pakistan have not hosted a series since a bomb blast forced New Zealand to cut short a tour in May.

**But both South Africa and Bangladesh have agreed to tour late next year. **

Following the World Cup final on 23 March, England’s next international fixture is the first Test of the domestic season, against Zimbabwe on 22 May.

**Pakistan are due to play a three-match one-day NatWest Challenge series in England in late June, directly before the NatWest Series, involving England, Zimbabwe and South Africa. **

England last visited Pakistan in 2000, losing the one-day series 2-1, but winning a three-Test series 1-0.