KARACHI, Aug 29: India have accepted Pakistan’s proposal to play a Test match in Karachi early next year. “They have accepted our proposed itinerary which includes a Test and one-dayer in Karachi. They are now waiting approval from their government to give us a formal yes,” Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Shaharyar M. Khan said on Monday.

India are scheduled to make their second Test tour of Pakistan in two years starting in January. They are scheduled to play three Tests and five ODIs.

They did not play a Test in Pakistan’s biggest city on their last tour in 2004 because of security and safety concerns.

“The good news is that the Indian board has no objections to the itinerary we have sent them. We are hoping their government will also allow them to play in Karachi,” Shaharyar said.

The PCB has struggled to convince visiting teams to play a Test in the port city of Karachi which has been hit by sectarian violence and terrorist attacks in the last few years.

England, who are due to tour Pakistan from Oct 26, have refused to play a Test in Karachi for security reasons but have agreed to a one-dayer.—Reuters