Windies women to tour Pakistan; skipper Stafanie Taylor pulls out due to security reasons
What’s the story?
In what comes a huge boost for Pakistan cricket, Windies women’s team have agreed to play a 3-match T20I series in Karachi. This series will precede the three ICC Women’s Championship ODI games that is scheduled to be played in Dubai.
Cricket West Indies chief executive Johnny Grave said that the T20I series was a massive step in helping the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) ‘bring cricket back home’.
"The security plan arranged by the PCB is of the same level that the Windies men's team had last year and independent security advisors, Eastern Star International (ESI), have confirmed to both the CWI and WIPA that they are satisfied that the risk is manageable and can be mitigated to an acceptable level,” Grave affirmed.
The background
Ever since the terrorist attack in Lahore in 2009, cricketing nations have boycotted playing in Pakistan for security reasons.
Although Pakistan have moved to their new home in the UAE, it is no match for the crowds and pitches on offer.
In 2017, a World XI featuring some high-profile names faced off against Pakistan in Lahore. Last year, Windies men played a three-match T20I series in Karachi.
The details
Windies women’s captain Stafanie Taylor has opted out of the three T20Is to be played at Karachi, owing to security reasons. The CEO of Cricket Windies has completely supported her decision by stating it’s the choice of each player whether they want to play in Pakistan.
Merissa Aguilleria, who has captained the Windies in 74 ODIs and 70 T20Is, will be leading the side for the T20Is in Karachi. Taylor will return as skipper for the ODIs at Dubai. Windies will also be without the services of Hayley Matthews who is recovering from a ligament injury sustained during the Women’s Big Bash League.
What’s next?
The three T20Is between Pakistan women and Windies women will be played on 31st January, 1st February and 3rd February at the South End Club in Karachi.
These are positive times for Pakistan cricket. One hopes that the security and safety in the country will slowly but surely return to normalcy and the big teams visit the country for a full-fledged tour in men's as well as women's cricket.