ISLAMABAD, Jan 5: Cricket legend Clive Lloyd said Saturday he hoped the West Indies would reconsider their demand for this month’s Test series against Pakistan to be played on neutral grounds because of regional tensions.

“No country would like to play its series on neutral venues ... I hope both Pakistan and West Indies boards have a dialogue and settle the matter,” Lloyd told AFP.

Last week the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) demanded the series be played at a neutral venue such as Sharjah or Dhaka out of security concerns.

On Saturday Bangladesh offered to host the three Test and three one-day international series which is due to begin on January 25.

Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Lt Gen Tauqir Zia last week said WICB president Wes Hall had promised he would consult Lloyd who is currently in Pakistan about the security situation.

“Obviously it’s difficult for Pakistan to give full guarantee but we (West Indies) have been here before when there were some problems,” said Lloyd, who led the West Indies on tour to Pakistan in 1974-75 and 1980-81.

“The situation may be a little tense but a week or so after this may lead to improvement,” he said.

A respected figure in international cricket, Lloyd played 110 Tests and 87 one-day international for West Indies, leading them to two World Cup titles in 1975 and 1979.—AFP

OUR REPORTER ADDS: Lloyd Saturday completed his coaching assignment with the Pakistan Juniors at the Rawalpindi Stadium.

He gave tips to the World Cup bound under-19 players in areas that included building partnerships, running the batsmen out, fielding, bowling and batting.

Lloyd was with the team for three days after arriving in Islamabad Thursday.

The Pakistan squad is to leave for New Zealand Thursday where the World Cup is due to begin Jan 14.

Meanwhile Lloyd will be busy Sunday coaching the junior players of Rawalpindi at the KRL Stadium while on Monday he will be working with the Islamabad boys.