31 January 2005	Monday	20 Zilhaj 1425

KARACHI, Jan 30: Pakistan will ask England to play four Tests when they tour the Asian country this year to try to give their players more experience of five-day cricket.

England are touring Pakistan in November-December, with three Tests and five one-day internationals on the itinerary. A senior official of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) told Reuters on Sunday that it would be asking the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to reconsider the tour schedule.

"We are keen for England to play four Tests and three one-dayers as we feel Pakistan has not been playing enough Test matches as compared to other countries in recent years," manager of cricket operations Subhan Ahmed said.

"The Board Chairman feels that we have played too many one-day internationals in recent years compared to Tests," he added. Chairman Shaharyar Khan said recently after Pakistan were crushed 3-0 in a three-Test series in Australia that one reason for the poor performance was that the new players were not playing enough Tests.

Pakistan have not played a four or five test rubber since 1992 when they toured England for a five-match series which they won 2-1. England won the third Test in Karachi on their last tour in 2000 to win the series 1-0. They are the only touring side scheduled to play in Pakistan this year. -Reuters