Barbados Today

The dates for Pakistan’s tour of the West Indies this year have not yet been confirmed but it is now certain that no Tests will be played.

West Indies Cricket Board’s Chief Executive Oficer, Michael Muirhead, has given this confirmation after no time frame could be factored in to accommodate what was initially planned to be a series that involved Test cricket.

“The Pakistan issue, it’s fair to say that we haven’t completely concluded negotiations or the final dates, but we’re confident that will be done shortly,” Muirhead said in Port-of-Spain yesterday.

“It won’t be a Test series anymore; we’re going to be focusing on five ODIs and two T20s. We have just not finalised with Pakistan, them signing off on the schedule we have been provided.”

The WICB president Dave Cameron said he was not happy about the absence of Tests but there was little that could be done.

“I don’t think we are satisfied,” Cameron said. “But circumstances have dictated for this year that that’s what we’re able to put in, and hopefully we’re going to able to build on that next year.”

Pakistan were originally scheduled to play two Tests, five ODIs and two Twenty20s in the Caribbean in June and July, but West Indies planned a tri-series involving India and Sri Lanka, which shortened the window. The WICB had asked the PCB if their tour could be rescheduled to August. That, however, interfered with Pakistan’s plan to host India and to play out the Zimbabwe series that was postponed last year.