PCB affirms to have plans for its team next month

Lahore, Aug 26 (UNI) Disappointed after the postponement of the Champions Trophy for a year, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said it still has a few things to look forward to and has some possible plans for its team to play international cricket next month.

''Pakistan might tour South Africa next month to play a triangular series - also featuring India - while Sri Lanka has also expressed its willingness to play a One-day International series, '' PCB chief operating officer Shafqat Naghmi said.

Naghmi informed that the Board has a couple of plans ahead and hope that their players would be playing some international cricket next month.

Earlier this year, Pakistan was forced to play against weaker teams - Bangladesh and Zimbabwe - at home after Australia postponed its scheduled tour of Pakistan due to perceived security problems.

However, many players have welcomed ICC's decision to postpone the Champions Trophy due to security concerns shown by Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, England.

Former Test captains Intikhab Alam and wicket-keeper Moin Khan said, ''the postponement of the Champions Trophy was the right decision.'' ''At least we did not lose the hosting right and, in the present circumstances, I think it was the right decision to delay the tournament for one year,'' Moin said.

Intikhab further said no one could give guarantee about the possible suicide bombings, which is one of the reasons for the postponement of the Champions Trophy in Pakistan.

''The Champions Trophy is the second mega event after the World Cup and it was a wise decision to postpone it,'' the coach of the Punjab senior cricket team said, adding that he was hopeful that the security situation improves in Pakistan when the Champions Trophy is staged next year.

UNI XC PY RAR DS1533