Pakistan Cricket Board disappointed after WICB refuses their offer of playing T20Is in Lahore
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is disappointed with the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), who turned down their request to play in Pakistan later this year owing to security reasons. The WICB had refused to accept PCB's offer, who had shown interest in hosting a couple of matches in Pakistan from their full series against the West Indies in the U.A.E in September-October.
"The West Indies board have informed us they prefer to have the full series in UAE because of security reasons," a top official of PCB told PTI. He also told that the players had conveyed to their board about their concerns playing in Pakistan.
"It is disappointing because we are trying our best to convince other boards that security conditions in Pakistan are improving with time and they need to support us even by playing a few games of a home series that is played in UAE," he said.
Pakistan will be taking on the T20 champions in two tests, five One-Day internationals and two T20 internationals at the neutral venue.
The PCB had tried to persuade the Caribbean board for two T20Is, to be held in Lahore and also sought the help of former West Indies legends like Brian Lara and Sir Vivian Richards for the same.
In March 2009, militants had attacked the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore that left six police officers and the driver dead and left several players and officials injured. Since then, all the top teams have avoided touring the country because of security reasons.
Since 2009, Pakistan has only hosted Afghanistan, Kenya and Zimbabwe at home. Much more visible security was provided when Zimbabwe toured the country last year, which gave hopes to the Pakistan board that more teams will want to visit the country.
Before Zimbabwe's tour, the PCB had also tried negotiating with Bangladesh for a tour, but they refused after committing twice. The proposed Afghanistan's tour of Pakistan this summer was also postponed indefinitely after the Lahore blasts.
Earlier this year, The PCB pushed for a change in venue away from Dharamsala during the World T20 match against India over security reasons. The PCB had conveyed its concern to the ICC and BCCI about playing at the venue, after a recommendation from the security delegation of Pakistan that visited the stadium.
The match was subsequently shifted to the Eden Gardens, where India went on to beat Pakistan by six wickets.