South Africa likely to tour Pakistan for T20I series next year, reveals Wasim Khan
According to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Wasim Khan, Cricket South Africa (CSA) have given a positive response to the formerās invitation for a T20I series next year. Earlier, some reports had suggested that South Africa had refused to tour Pakistan for the aforementioned series.Ā
After a decade-long hiatus, full-fledged international cricket has returned to Pakistan. Ten years ago, a Sri Lanka outing had put an end to Pakistan hosting international matches but it was the same team that has resumed the proceedings. After a limited-overs contest, the Sri Lankan board, happy with the security arrangements of the PCB, returned to play a Test series in the once-tainted nation. And now the PCB is confident of hosting other top countries, which would further refine the process.Ā
According to Wasim Khan, South Africa are likely to visit Pakistan in March 2020 for a three-match T20 International series. Khan rubbished the speculations of CSA turning down their proposal.Ā
āIn fact, they have responded very positively to our invitation and we are pretty confident they will come over for the T20 series,ā Khan was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.Ā
The Pakistan board has also invited Ireland and Afghanistan to play both red and white-ball contests but those are still awaiting confirmation from the respective boards.
Moreover, Khan also revealed that the PCB have been making preparations to host Bangladesh for two Tests and three T20 Internationals in January-February 2020. For that to happen, independent security experts from Bangladesh had visited Pakistan and were apparently happy with the arrangements. However, an official confirmation from the BCB is still in line.
āOur main priority is to ensure that Test and international cricket is now played regularly in Pakistan and teams have no problems coming here. 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.ā