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Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has postponed the three-match T20I series against visiting West Indies which was earlier slated to be played in January 2023 in Pakistan.
The decision has been taken mutually by both the nations citing busy schedule and now the series will be played in the first quarter of 2024.
“The decision has been made considering 2024 is an ICC Men’s T20 World Cup year, with the event due to be hosted in the West Indies and USA in June 2024, and the shortest format matches will, therefore, help both the sides to prepare for the tournament,” a spokesperson said.
The three-match series is not part of the recently announced 2023-2027 ICC Future Tours Programme.
The West Indies had toured Pakistan earlier this year for a twin ODI and T20 series but after the completion of the 50 over matches the visitors reported several Covid-19 cases in their camp due to which both boards agreed to postpone the T20 series and hold it in early 2023.
The decision has been made considering 2024 is an ICC Men’s T20 World Cup year, with the event due to be hosted in the West Indies and the USA in June 2024, and the shortest format matches will, therefore, help both sides to prepare for the tournament.
The three-match T20I series in January 2023 is not part of the recently announced 2023-2027 ICC Future Tours Programme (FTP).
The West Indies played their ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League matches against Pakistan in Multan in May 2022, while the December 2021 series comprised three T20Is in Karachi.
Earlier, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Jay Shah has said that the Indian team will not travel to Pakistan for Asia Cup 2023. In the Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on October 18 in Mumbai, Shah said that the arch-rivals will take on each other at a neutral venue.
"We have decided we will not travel to Pakistan. We will play at a neutral venue," said Shah, who is also Asian Cricket Council (ACC) president.
However, it will be interesting to see what BCCI does when Pakistan hosts ICC Champions Trophy in 2025.
India have not travelled to Pakistan since 2008 and due to political tensions between the two nations. However, they have faced each other at the International Cricket Council (ICC) events. The Rohit Sharma-led India will take on Babar Azam’s Pakistan in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2022 on October 23 at Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
