NEW DELHI, May 11: India will host a four-match field hockey series with Pakistan later this year, an official announced here on Tuesday. "We will host Pakistan soon after the Olympics and hope that the series will revive interest in the game ," Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) chief Kunwar Gill told reporters.

Pakistan's tour was expected to take place in September but the dates and venues were yet to be finalised. Gill said the success of India's recent cricket tour of Pakistan had given them hope for similar series in the future.

"India will also tour Pakistan for many matches soon after the series here and we hope to make Tests between the two countries an annual affair," said Gill. India and Pakistan have met each other in a number of tournaments but have not played a series since 1999. -AFP