Windies unsure over Pakistan

The Pakistan Cricket Board's latest attempt to fill the void left in their fixture schedule following the postponement of the ICC Champions Trophy could be again set for failure.

The PCB this week sent a formal request to the West Indies Cricket Board inviting them to play two Tests in the strife-torn nation in November.

And while the chief executive of the WICB, Dr Donald Peters, said he was "hopeful" his organisation could oblige, he indicated a decision to tour could rest in the hands of the West Indies Players' Association.

That would cast some doubt over the possibility of the tour going ahead after WIPA voiced its concerns, albeit late on, about sending a West Indies team to the Champions Trophy due to security fears.

"The Pakistan Cricket Board made a formal request for the West Indies to play two Test matches in November," Dr Peters confirmed.

"We now have to wait for approval from the West Indies Players Association and it has to be confirmed by the West Indies Cricket Board before we can confirm the matches will take place.

"I am currently trying to fast-track that process so that we can get that done as quickly as possible and hopefully agree on the tour.

"Whether we can get that approval from the Players' Association, however, will depend on their analysis of the security situation in Pakistan."

West Indies have been invited to play Tests against Pakistan

WIPA only added its voice to the chorus of disapproval regarding the staging of the Champions Trophy on the eve of an ICC decision last month to postpone it.

Dr Peters indicated that the WICB had been happy to comply with the ICC's security advice ahead of the Champions Trophy, and that their stance had not changed in the interim.

"We (the WICB) will rely on the previous security clearances supplied by the ICC and by the PCB," said Dr Peters, who indicated he hoped to have a decision made before the WICB's next scheduled board meeting on October 3.

"From there it will be up to the Players' Association to provide their recommendation to the players."

The PCB have been desperate to secure a series to compensate for the Champions Trophy, and Australia's tour earlier this year, which were both postponed due to security concerns.

Just last week their hopes of securing a series against Sri Lanka were dashed due to a lack of interest from sponsors and television broadcasters.

Plans for a Tri-series in South Africa also involving Sri Lanka fell through after Cricket South Africa failed to secure sponsors and broadcasters.

"It would be good for us to tour Pakistan to not only help a colleague out, but to play Test cricket ourselves," Dr Peters added.

"It would be good to help them especially because Pakistan have not been able to play much cricket of late."

West Indies last toured Pakistan in November 2006, when they lost a three-match series 2-0.