PCB Hopeful Of South Africa Touring Pakistan For Twenty20 Series In March 2020

With international teams touring Pakistan with the security situation improving, the Pakistan Cricket Board is confident of more teams coming to tour. With Sri Lanka visiting the country for three ODIs, three Twenty20 Internationals and two Tests split in October and December, the Pakistan Cricket Board are optimistic of South Africa and Ireland touring the country for future series. According to sources within the Pakistan Board, Pakistan are in the process of inviting South Africa for three Twenty20 Internationals in March 2020 as well as Ireland. Responding to media reports that South Africa had turned down Pakistan's request for the tour, PCB CEO Wasim Khan said discussions with CSA were still ongoing.

"In fact they have responded very positively to our invitation and we are pretty confident they will come over for the T20 series," Wasim Khan said. Pakistan has also invited Ireland and Afghanistan to send their teams to Pakistan next year to play white ball and red ball series but are still awaiting confirmations.

Cricket South Africa is presently in turmoil with the suspension of its CEO on charges of misconduct and resignations of three directors and one provincial association president. Former South African skipper, Graeme Smith, has been appointed as its interim director as South Africa prepare to host England for a full series. Wasim Khan also said that they were making preparations to also host Bangladesh for two Tests and three T20 Internationals in January-February and were expecting a confirmation from the Bangladesh board soon. He noted that independent security experts from Bangladesh had visited Pakistan and returned home satisfied.

"Our main priority is to ensure that Test and international cricket is now played regularly in Pakistan and teams have no problems coming here," he said. "We are confident that once we host the entire Pakistan Super League in Pakistan early next year it will become easier for other boards to make decisions on playing in Pakistan. We want our home series to now be played in Pakistan instead of neutral venues."

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Sri Lanka became the first team to visit Pakistan for a Test after 10 years. In 2009, teams stopped touring Pakistan afetr the terror attack in Lahore which targeted the Sri Lankan team.

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