April 18, 2008	Friday	Rabi-us-Sani 11, 1429

KARACHI, April 17: Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) effort to hold a home series received another jolt when the West Indies refused an invitation to play a few one-dayers in August.

After being snubbed by Australia, India and Sri Lanka for security and other reasons, the PCB has now been told by the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) that they can’t undertake the tour due to prior engagements.

The PCB had invited the West Indies and New Zealand to play three-match ODI series in August to give its team some practice before the Champions Trophy in September. This would have also helped PCB recover from the financial setback it suffered due to the postponement of Australia’s tour in March.

”Yes, the West Indies board has informed us that since they are already committed to play some games in Canada in August, they can’t accept our invitation,” Shafqat Nagmi, PCB’s chief operating officer, said on Thursday.

“We have sent a fresh invitation to New Zealand asking them to come and play a full five-match one-day series instead of three ODIs. We are awaiting a reply from them,” Naghmi added.

He, however, said even if New Zealand turns down the offer it would be coming to play the original three-match series before the Champions Trophy.—Agencies