Indo-Pak series' itinerary likely to be announced next week

Lahore, Sep 20 (UNI) The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is likely to announce the itinerary of the home series against India, scheduled to be held from January 4 to February 20 next year, by Tuesday which has already been confirmed by the BCCI.

PCB Director Cricket Operations International (DCOI) Zakir Khan said the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had confirmed the itinerary sent to it 10 days ago.

''We have received the itinerary a couple of days back and the BCCI has okayed all the venues suggested in the proposed itinerary,'' Zakir told 'Dawn'.

India is scheduled to play three Tests, five ODIs and one three-day side game.

''The BCCI's approved itinerary will be presented before the PCB Governing Board's international cricket committee to give its final approval and to make it public,'' he said.

Zakir said most likely the itinerary would be announced by this Tuesday or even Monday.

After an almost barren 2008 mainly due to the security fears of many teams, the PCB has pinned all its hopes on the India series.

Earlier, the Australians deferred their planned tour to Pakistan in April, while later five nations were reluctant to play the ICC Champions Trophy here from September 12 because of which the ICC postponed it until next year.

Zakir said the series was much important for the PCB and was confident that Pakistan was ready to host it in a befitting manner.

''Pakistan is quite capable to hold any series without any security fears as we have done so in the past too.

''The successful series against India will be enough to convince other teams of the world to come to Pakistan without any fear,'' Zakir added.

However, match venues are yet to be disclosed and Zakir said it was a confidential matter until the Board gets approval from the international cricket committee.

However, it is learnt that the Test matches are likely to be held in Rawalpindi, Lahore and Karachi.

The same cities will also hold a One-day match each, while Faisalabad and Multan would host the remaining two matches.

Meanwhile, the three-day match is likely to be played in Lahore.

UNI XC RAR PY RN1102