The PCB are pleased to have had their series against the West Indies confirmed

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced that the national team will tour the West Indies in July-August next year in order to ensure that the Pakistani players stay busy and in form as well.

Pakistan now have an away and home series against South Africa, a tour of the Caribbean and are also hoping to organise a home series against arch-rivals India.

Speaking exclusively to PTI, a source close to the PCB said: “The team will go to the Caribbean after taking part in the Champions Trophy in England that will be held in June. Before the tournament we will also be playing a series against Ireland.”

The source noted that Pakistan’s tour of the West Indies will include three Test matches, ODIs and Twenty20 Internationals.

The source also stated that there was an open window from August-September after the completion of the Caribbean tour and the PCB would be looking to invite India for a tour of Pakistan.

“The idea is there and discussions on this will be held when Pakistan goes to India in December but it is too early to say anything concrete now,” the source said.

South Africa are due to tour Pakistan in October next year, but the source acknowledged that the tour will completely depend on the security and stability situation of the country.

“If security issues lead to South Africa not wanting to play in Pakistan than obviously the other option is to host them at a neutral venue,” the source added.

The PCB are also hoping that improved ties with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will lead to Pakistan players being allowed to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL) once again.

“The board will know in December what is the position but since relations have now improved and the national team is also going to India indications are our players will feature in the players auction in January or February,” the source said.

The PCB are also getting ready to host the inaugural edition of the Pakistan Premier League (PPL) towards the end of March next year.

“The situation is that from December onwards we have a busy schedule for our players who go to India and than South Africa where the tour ends on March 24 after that they appear in the PPL and hopefully the IPL before going for the Champions Trophy and then to the West Indies,” the source added.

The source further mentioned that Bangladesh may tour Pakistan some time next year and added that the national team may head to Zimbabwe for a short series as well.

“We had put off the tour to Zimbabwe that was due in November because of the series in India and they are keen to play that series sometime next year,” the source said.