Pakistan Cricket Board is gearing up to host Zimbabwe in October-November. The Zimbabwe Government has given their national cricket team a nod for traveling to Pakistan next month.
Shortly after Zimbabwe’s departure, Pakistan is due to tour New Zealand for a full Test and limited-overs series from late November till January. The PCB has thereafter planned the Pakistan Super League Season 6 from February 20.
Pakistan have played a full-fledged series in England last month.
The PCB is making every effort to ensure a busy international calendar for their team. After the home series against Zimbabwe, Pakistan will have a busy international season that may run up to a bilateral series with South Africa, which though is faced with the turmoil due to an administrative collapse in Cricket South Africa.
However, Pakistan is hopeful of playing with the Proteas early next year after their limited overs series, slated for October this year, was called off due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pakistan were to play white ball cricket in the 50-over and 20-over formats in South Africa. The host board had decided to defer the bilateral competition due to the rising COVID-19 cases in the country.
Indian national news agency PTI, quoting sources in the PCB has reported, that the CSA has informed its Pakistan to consider a window for bilateral series early next year.
“There is also a good chance that if the situation does not improve in South Africa to have full cricket activities we will be ready to play hosts in say February before the Pakistan Super League,” the source said.
The source said the board is also looking at a window to host the Bangladesh team for the remaining Test of the ICC World Test Championship and an ODI match around the proposed PSL period.
“As far as both teams are concerned obviously the coming visit by the Zimbabwe team will be a test for us to see if we can hold international matches with ease and in the strict COVID-19 bio-secure protocol environment,” the source said and added that Pakistan was in a position to host South Africa for a short series. However, if the CSA manages to find a window and reschedule the October series, Pakistan would have no problems going there to play the matches.