PCB target Proteas series

Pakistan hoping to organise South Africa Tests

Last updated: 24th March 2008

Pakistan Test celeb Umar Gul Misbah-ul-Haq v South Africa

Pakistan hoping to arrange SA series

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The Pakistan Cricket Board have approached Cricket South Africa about the prospect of arranging a three-Test series in October.

The postponement of Australia's scheduled tour of Pakistan this month has reduced the amount of Test Matches for the Asian nation and the governing body are looking to plug the gap with the visit of South Africa.

The PCB have successfully agreed one-day series fixtures with Bangladesh and Sri Lanka for this year and are now hoping to seal a Test series with Greame Smith's side.

Pakistan are already set to host India for three Tests in November, and the PCB are hoping to arrange a similar series the following month after the conclusion of the Champions Trophy.

PCB chief operating officer Shafqat Naghmi told The News: "Following the postponement of the Test series against Australia, Pakistan have been left with just three Tests during the whole of this year.

Encouraging

"We scanned the FTP (Future Tours Programme) and other tour commitments of the top Test-playing teams and found out that South Africa are the only leading side that has a window big enough in their FTP to fit in a Test series this year.

"We have had a verbal communication with them over a possible Test series and their response is encouraging."

Naghmi added that Pakistan would be willing to tour South Africa if the Proteas were unable to visit their country.

"Our first priority is to host the South Africans for the proposed Test series in October but if, because of any reason, they cannot visit then we will be willing to send our team to South Africa," he said.

The Proteas enjoyed a successful tour of Pakistan last October when they beat the home side in both the Test and one-day international series.