PCB to finalize neutral venues for future home series soon

Lahore, Apr.14 (ANI): Realizing that it is difficult to host international matches in Pakistan because of security concerns, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will soon finalize neutral venues for Test and one-day international series scheduled to be played over the next year.

PCB chairman Ejaz Butt and Chief Operating Officer Saleem Altaf would meet the New Zealand, Australian and English cricket board officials during the upcoming ICC Executive Board meeting in Dubai to finalize these venues.

"It is more or less obvious that for next one year we would not be able to host teams at home. So, we have decided to select the best options as neutral venues," The Nation quoted a PCB official, as saying.

"It is more or less decided we will play New Zealand in a one-day series in Abu Dhabi and Dubai after the Champions Trophy this year and host them for Tests in Ireland and Scotland," he added.e informed that Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ireland, Scotland, England and Malaysia are also being considered as probable neutral venues by the PCB.

Sources added that Ireland and Scotland were very keen to host Tests matches to push their claim for Test status before the ICC.

Pakistan was scheduled to host New Zealand in October-November this year, but the Kiwis have already expressed their reluctance to visit the country. (ANI)