LAHORE, Nov 12: While expressing there is no imminent risk of cancellation of the forthcoming home series against archrivals India, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has declared it is also ready to shift the home contest to a neutral venue under what it called the ‘worst scenario’.

Some foreign cricket teams’ security concerns over touring Pakistan in recent times and Indian junior hockey squad’s last-minute withdrawal from their visit to the neighbouring country on Tuesday amid a suicide bomb blast in Peshawar outside the Inter-provincial Games venue, have raised fresh doubts over India’s cricket tour to Pakistan.

However, Saleem Altaf, PCB’s Chief Operating Officer, asserted that the security arrangements for the India series were in progress, adding that the ICC President David Morgan also seeks to witness the first Pakistan-India Test match.

“The PCB has already started the work on security arrangements for the [Indian team’s] tour. The publishing of [match] tickets is also set to start. Today, the PCB also received an email from the ICC President David Morgan asking to make arrangements for his visa as he is willing to watch the first [Pakistan-India] Test,” Saleem said.

The Indians are scheduled to visit Pakistan in January-February to play three Tests, five One-day Internationals and a Twenty20 International.

He added that the PCB was anxiously waiting for the home series against India as there was no official contact between the two cricket boards.

The official stated that the BCCI was to send a security team to Pakistan for reviewing the security arrangements here, but added that no date was fixed for this.

Asked what could be Pakistan’s plan ‘B’ if India declined the tour, Saleem said the PCB certainly had other plans to deal with the situation.

“Under the ‘worst scenario’ when there is no other option available, we will switch over a home series to a neutral venue,” he declared.

To a question the board official revealed an alternative venue could be Abu Dhabi, Sharjah or England.

“To earn sufficient income through an alternative venue the PCB will discuss venues like Abu Dhabi, England or Sharjah. The venue which gives more money to the PCB will be selected,” he said.

“In the past we have played home series in Sharjah and Colombo due to the same reason [security]. Though we could not earn income through that series, now we will have an effective plan to boost our kitty,” he stated.

He disclosed that the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) had also offered the PCB to host their home series in England.

When pointed out that a successful home series against India will also pave the way for Pakistan to stage the ICC Champions Trophy in September-October next year, Saleem admitted it was why the PCB’s first preference was to play the series at home.

However, he added if the situation does not remain under control, it is better to follow the something-is-better-than-nothing approach.