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Pakistan undecided on Zimbabwe tour

by Manuj Sharma Saturday 25 July 2015

Pakistan and Zimbabwe players shake hands

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) may now decide not to send their team to Zimbabwe later this year

©REUTERS / Action Images

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have expressed doubts about sending their team to Zimbabwe for either a bilateral One-Day International series or a tri-series featuring West Indies during August and September.

PCB’s dilemma comes on the heels of the ODI series win against Sri Lanka, which has propelled them to eighth placed in the International Cricket Council ODI team rankings, which is enough for them to secure a place in the 2017 Champions Trophy.

Earlier, Pakistan's participation in the Champions Trophy was in jeopardy as they were in the ninth position before the ODI series against Sri Lanka, with only the top eight teams allowed to participate.

An official of the PCB told Press Trust of India that the board was undecided about the Zimbabwe tour, while stating that a final decision is yet to be taken.

“The bottom line is that we have to look at the interests of our own team and it is also a fact that we have as yet not officially committed to playing the tri-series with West Indies in Zimbabwe nor a bilateral ODI series with the hosts," he was quoted as saying.

The official also rejected claims that the tour to Zimbabwe was already confirmed by the PCB and said: “No, until now no agreement has been made for either the tri-series or bilateral ODI series.

“No final decision has been made as yet and we will discuss this next week when the Chairman Shaharyar Khan returns from London.”

The official further expressed that the PCB enjoys good relations with Zimbabwe Cricket, especially after the recent series in Pakistan, which saw international cricket return to the country after a six-year gap.

“We enjoy very good relations with Zimbabwe cricket board particularly after the way they supported us by sending their team to Pakistan in May.

“We will discuss all matters with them as well before any final decision is made, but we would certainly not like them to lose out in any way and we can also look at a full series in near future as well.”

Pakistan currently have 90 rating points and can further extend their lead over the ninth-placed West Indies by winning the fifth ODI, as a 4-1 series win will take them to 92 rating points.