Zimbabwe poised for Pakistan tour

Zimbabwe could end Pakistan’s status as a no-go cricket zone after offering to tour the strife-torn and flood-devastated nation, officials said on Friday.

The tour is loosely scheduled for later this year, probably during November and early December, and could be a series of ODIs and Twenty20 matches as decided by the Pakistan Cricket Board.

Much depends, though, on a satisfactory security check and report beforehand, which will dictate whether the Zimbabweans actually go.

The Zimbabwe players have not yet been sounded out on whether they are prepared to play in Pakistan, given its recent history of violence, but convenor of selectors Alistair Campbell told AFP he was confident the majority would be willing.

“Nobody will be pressured to go if they decline,” he said.

Zimbabwe Cricket managing director Ozias Bvute said the idea of touring Pakistan, which has been off-limits because of the country’s deteriorating situation, emerged several weeks ago.

HARARE, AFP