Pakistan on Monday conceded their next two cricket series will be held at neutral venues, inviting bids to host South Africa and Sri Lanka in the United Arab Emirates.
Officials had been reluctant to announce their next two series from October-January, instead hoping they could convince visiting teams to tour Pakistan, a country hard hit by Taliban and Al-Qaeda-linked violence.
‘The two series will be played in UAE,’ a PCB official confirmed, refusing to be named. Pakistan play two Tests, five ODIs and three Twenty20 internationals against South Africa in October-November before returning to play three Tests, five ODIs and two T20s against Sri Lanka in December-January.
Pakistan was already a ‘no go’ area for many international teams even before the Sri Lankan attacks as security fears grew after the 9/11 attacks on the United States. Australia have not toured Pakistan since 1998, citing serious threats to their players.