South Africa refuses to tour Pakistan

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has started preparations of its 'home' series against South Africa in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) after the Proteas refused to tour the trouble-torn country.

South Africa were scheduled to tour Pakistan in October-November for a three Tests and five One-day Internationals but conveyed to the PCB they were not inclined to play in Pakistan in the present security situation.

"We have agreed to host the series at neutral venues in the UAE and we are in the process of finalising dates and venues," PCB Chairman Ejaz Butt said.

He said the South Africans had agreed to play in the UAE as they were keen to have the series against Pakistan.

"The series is on but the venues have changed we are now looking at Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah as possible match venues," Butt said.

Only Sharjah has in the past hosted Tests way back in 2002 when West Indies refused to tour Pakistan and the series was held in the UAE state.

Dubai and Abu Dhabi have become virtual home grounds for Pakistan having hosted several of their One-day Internationals and Twenty20 matches since the attack on the Sri Lankan team in Lahore in March, 2009.

The last time the South Africans were in Pakistan in 2007, bombers attacked a caravan of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto in Karachi forcing the PCB to shift a match at Karachi to Lahore.