PCB in talks with South Africa for short tour

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has initiated efforts to keep national cricketers busy this summer as negotiations are on for a short trip to South Africa for a limited overs series before the Test matches against England.

A well-placed source told ‘The News’ on Monday that the national team may tour South Africa for a limited overs series somewhere in April-May.“Efforts are on to keep the Pakistan team engaged even after the Pakistan Super League (PSL) that ends in March. We are in talks with the South Africa board for a short tour,” a PCB official said.

He said though negotiations are at an early stage, there is a good chance that the tour will take place in April.South Africa are currently hosting India for a Test and One-Day series. It will be followed by Australia’s Test tour that starts on March 1 and ends on April 3.

“The South African board wants to have a limited overs series after the Test series against Australia. Pakistan are negotiating with it to fill that gap,” the PCB official said.Pakistan are scheduled to travel to England in May-June to play two Tests — at Lord’s from May 24 and at Headingly from June 1.

Meanwhile, negotiations with the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) are in final stages for reciprocal tours with the first engagement starting in Pakistan late March.West Indies are most likely to play three Twenty20 Internationals in Pakistan on March 29, March 31 and April 1.

“West Indies wants Pakistan to make a return trip this summer to play T20s and One-Dayers. Both countries have agreed in principle on these adjustments,” the official said.He said the expected matches would not be a part of the Future Tour Programme. “We want to have a longer duration adjustment with the West Indies board. “These trips so far are not part of the FTP announced by the ICC from 2019-223,” the official said.