January 03, 2008	Thursday	Zilhaj 23, 1428

LAHORE, Jan 2: The final decisions about Zimbabwe’s forthcoming tour to Pakistan and new the schedule of the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy’s remaining games are likely to be announced on Thursday.

Both matters had been in doldrums in the backdrop of the delay in the Jan 8 general elections, after the assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto last week.

However, after the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) on Wednesday announced Feb 18 as the fresh elections date, the PCB is now in a position to take the decisions over the revised schedule of the said events, accordingly.

“After the new date of elections, the PCB will have a meeting under its Chairman Dr Nasim Ashraf on Thursday to take the next step to decide the fate of both the matters (Quaid Trophy and Zimbabwe series),” Zakir Khan, PCB’s Director Cricket Operations, told Dawn.

The Zimbabweans are to reach Karachi on Jan 12 to play a four-day match plus a three-dayer besides the five One-day Internationals till Feb 7.

Zakir, however, avoided making any comment when asked whether, after to the fresh date of the general elections, Zimbabwe’s tour was feasible.

“At the moment I can’t say and anything can happen. The tour may either be shortened or extended and a factual position will appear after discussing all aspects with the PCB chief,” Zakir added.

Asked whether the new date of the general elections could affect the visit of the Australian security delegation, which is scheduled to arrive in February to examine the security ahead of their national team’s tour to Pakistan in March, Zakir said most possibly the delegation would tour after the elections.