Sharjah to host Pak-WI Test series

Sharjah will host the Test series between Pakistan and West Indies after repeated requests from the Caribbean officials to the PCB last week that they wanted the series shifted to a neutral venue.

The two teams were due to play three Tests and as many one-dayers but will now play two Tests and three one-day internationals, the BBC reported on its website.

It will be the first time Test cricket will be played in the United Arab Emirates.

"We have finally decided to shift the series to Sharjah after West Indies Board's request to play on neutral grounds," Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Tauqir Zia said.

"The PCB and Sharjah organisers will share the revenue," Zia said. "Pakistan also had Bangladesh as one option but we may not have earned as much revenue as we would get in Sharjah."

Earlier New Zealand and Sri Lanka refused to tour because of safety fears in the wake of the terrorist attacks on the USA and subsequent retaliatory bombing campaign in neighbouring Afghanistan.

It is believed to have cost the PCB around $10m in lost revenue, through advertising and TV deals.

PCB is working out a revised series programme to be released shortly. There will be no time for warm-up games and the West Indies are due to reach Sharjah on 25 January.