KARACHI - Pakistani cricket authorities are unwilling to host a depleted Zimbabwe side for a series of one-day internationals later this year.
Zimbabwe were due to arrive in Pakistan for a test and one-day series last September, but a players' strike forced the Zimbabwe Cricket Union to postpone all testcricket until next February.
The Zimbabwe union's interim committee added it would continue to play one-day internationals but not tests, due to the depleted strength of the squad.
Unhappy with the situation, a Pakistan Cricket Board official said that a letter had been sent to the union asking it to arrange a full test and one-day international tour next year.
"It is not feasible for us to host them only for one-dayers this year. We have told them it would be better if they come next year for a full series," the Pakistan official said. "They were due to play tests in Pakistan in 2004 but toured only for the one-day games after the International Cricket Council suspended their test status. We want this backlog of tests cleared because of the new future tours programme."
He said that the Zimbabwe union had asked Pakistan to reconsider its decision.
"One possibility is that we might end up having a triangular one-day series with Zimbabwe and the West Indies."
Pakistan are due to host the West Indies for three tests and three one-dayers at the end of the year, and the official said that tour had been confirmed.
The dispute between the Zimbabwe union and leading players began when Tatenda Taibu resigned as Zimbabwe captain last year and announced his retirement from international cricket in protest against Zimbabwe's running of the sport.
