ISLAMABAD, Oct 23: West Indies have offered to play Pakistan in two Tests in neutral Abu Dhabi next month, a top official of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said on Thursday.

“We hope the proposal materializes and we find some sponsor for the test matches,” PCB’s newly appointed chairman Ijaz Butt said.

“It will give our players an ideal opportunity to play some international cricket after a long layoff,” he added. Pakistan have not played a Test since December last year, when it drew against India at Bangalore. Australia, who have not toured Pakistan for 11 years, postponed their scheduled tour to Pakistan earlier this year due to security reservations.

Pakistan’s hosting of the limited-overs Champions Trophy was also postponed until next year because many teams were worried about security in Pakistan after a spate of bombings.

“We have to pay the West Indies Cricket Board [for the Test matches] according to the ICC regulations and for that we are looking for sponsors,” Ijaz said. “The time is very short, but I am hopeful something positive will come out.”

Pakistan are scheduled to play three One-day Internationals against the West Indies also in Abu Dhabi next month.

“If everything goes well, the Tests will be played shortly after the ODIs in Abu Dhabi,” Ijaz said.

Should the Tests against the West Indies go ahead, it will not be the first time that Pakistan had ‘hosted’ matches at a neutral venue. After the Sept 11 terrorist attacks on the US in 2001, Pakistan played Tests against the West Indies and Australia at Sharjah and Sri Lanka respectively.—AP