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Windies Women to tour Pakistan

Published:Friday | October 22, 2021 | 12:10 AM
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West Indies Women’s batter Kyshona Knight (left) in action against Pakistan Women in their fourth One-Day International, played at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in North Sound, Antigua on Thursday, July 15.
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West Indies Women’s batter Kyshona Knight (left) in action against Pakistan Women in their fourth One-Day International, played at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in North Sound, Antigua on Thursday, July 15.
GRAVE
GRAVE
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ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC):

Cricket West Indies (CWI) confirmed yesterday that West Indies Women will tour Pakistan next month for three One-Day Internationals (ODI).

The series, which runs from November 8-14 and will be played in Karachi, is part of the Caribbean side’s preparations for the crucial Cricket World Cup qualifiers set for November-December in Zimbabwe.

CWI said it is undertaking a final review of the “detailed medical and security plans” put forward by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

“This reciprocal tour to Pakistan is an important part of our preparation plans ahead of the World Cup qualifying tournament that is scheduled to take place in Zimbabwe in mid-November,” CWI chief executive Johnny Grave said.

“This tour to Pakistan will give the team the chance to play in different conditions compared to the Caribbean and have more high level competitive cricket ahead of aiming to secure one of the three qualifying spots available for the Women’s Cricket World Cup next year.”

Last month, both England and New Zealand cancelled plans for their men’s teams to tour Pakistan.

While the England and Wales Cricket Board cited “increasing concerns about travelling to the region”, New Zealand Cricket alluded to a “specific and credible threat”.

However, Grave said CWI were satisfied with the security assessment carried out, which indicated that the associated risk was “ manageable and can be mitigated to an acceptable level of safety”.

“The security plan arranged by the PCB is the same high level that the West Indies Men’s and Women’s teams received when they last toured Pakistan in 2018 and 2019, respectively,” Grave said. “Independent security advisors, Eastern Star International, have confirmed to both CWI and WIPA (West Indies Players Association) that they are satisfied that the risk is manageable and can be mitigated to an acceptable level of safety.

“We will now take a final recommendation to our board of directors before the Selection Panel confirms the squad.”

West Indies Women last faced Pakistan Women in an away series in 2019, when a three-match ODI tour was hosted in Dubai and the three-match T20 series was staged in Karachi.

Captain Stafanie Taylor opted out of the Karachi leg over security reservations.

Pakistan, meanwhile, toured the Caribbean in July, losing 3-2 in a five-match series staged in Antigua.

The upcoming series marks the third one this year for the women’s side, with South Africa also touring the region last month for ODIs and Twenty20 Internationals.

West Indies Women, now in Antigua for a preparation camp, will travel directly to Zimbabwe for the November 21 to December 5 qualifiers, after the Pakistan series.