Test matches put back for political reasons

The Pakistan Cricket Board has unveiled the itinerary for India's first Test tour of Pakistan in almost 15 years. Contrary to all the earlier speculation, the five one-day internationals will now be played first, with the three Tests matches scheduled to start only at the end of March.

India will play a warm-up game in Lahore on March 11, with the one-day series scheduled to start at Karachi two days later. Both Karachi and Peshawar had been under a cloud because of supposed security concerns, but both venues will host one-day internationals. Tellingly, though, the Test matches have gone to Lahore - which also hosts the final two ODIs, both day-night affairs - Multan and Rawalpindi.

Announcing the itinerary, Rameez Raja, the chief executive of the PCB, said: "I feel honoured and delighted to announce the itinerary of India's first Test tour to Pakistan in nearly 15 years. I am confident that it will be a great series in which the Pakistan public will extend their traditional respect and hospitality to the visitors. At the same time, I am convinced that it would be a controversy-free and trouble-free series and at the end of the day, it will be cricket that will emerge the winner irrespective of which team wins the Test or one-day series."

He went on to add: "I once again assure everyone that best security will be in place for the Indian team but at the same time we have ensured that no inconvenience is caused to the local and visiting spectators which we expect to be in huge numbers."

Raja said that the Test series had been put back for political reasons. "The BCCI requested us for the change of format because of the expected elections in India in April," he said. "They [BCCI] further argued that if the one-day series was played in the second half of the series, the public will lose interest in the matches. We showed flexibility because we understand the importance of this series. I can further say here that we were in constant touch with the concerned government departments and necessary advice and approvals have been sought from them."

He also suggested that India's concerns had been a factor in Karachi and Peshawar not hosting Test matches. "As regards Karachi and Peshawar, who will not be hosting Test matches, I will say here that the confidence of the touring teams has not fully restored [in the two centres]. Moreover, had we had pressed harder for Tests in Karachi and Peshawar, the tour might even have been called off. But while I am sad that the two centres will not be hosting Tests, I am glad that they will be hosting important one-day games."

Raja said that the itinerary was delayed so that the BCCI delegation that visited Pakistan last week could liaise with the government and come up with a formula that satisfied all parties concerned.

March 10 - Arrival in Lahore

March 11 - One-day warm-up game in Lahore

March 13 - 1st ODI in Karachi

March 16 - 2nd ODI in Rawalpindi (D/N)

March 19 - 3rd ODI in Peshawar

March 21 - 4th ODI in Lahore (D/N)

March 24 - 5th ODI in Lahore (D/N)

March 28-April 1 - 1st Test at Multan

April 5-9 - 2nd Test at Lahore

April 13-17 - 3rd Test at Rawalpindi

April 18 - Departure from Lahore