PCB tells Zim play 3 ODIs before Champions or wait for full series

Lahore, May 5 (UNI) Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has asked Zimbabwe to either play three one-dayers before Champions Trophy in India or visit for a full series after their Test status is restored next year.

Zimbabwe were due to tour Pakistan to play three Tests and five ODIs this year after the Champions Trophy -- to be held in October-November -- but after Zimbabwe Cricket Union (ZCU) decided not to play any Tests until February next year due to boycott by their leading players, Pakistan has been reluctant to host them only for a one-day series.

''Basically we've given them two options: one is they come in September on their way to India for the Champions Trophy and play two four-day games against the Pakistan 'A' side and then three ODIs against the senior team or to postpone the tour altogether and tour next year in April to play a full series by which time their board would've restored their team's Test status,'' PCB Chairman Shaharyar Khan told The News.

''Although we are keen to give our senior players proper rest after they return from the England tour around September 12 before they go to India for the Champions Trophy, we've discussed this with them and I don't think playing just three ODIs would be that much of a burden on them,'' Shaharyar said.

The PCB chief also said that West Indies will tour Pakistan in November and December.

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