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Sharjah ready to host Pakistan home Tests
Wisden CricInfo staff - October 13, 2001

DUBAI (Reuters)
Organisers of cricket at Sharjah are ready to host Pakistan home Tests if they are called off for security reasons in the wake of U.S.-led attacks on neighbouring Afghanistan.

"We have a top class infrastructure, both at Sharjah and Morocco, and we can organise matches at a short notice," Zahid Noorani, chief executive of the Cricketers Benefit Fund Series (CBFS), said.

Zahid's offer came after International Cricket Council (ICC) president Malcolm Gray said earlier this week it was possible Pakistan's home matches could be played at independent venues if that became necessary.

"If given the responsibility, we will go all out to help the ICC in organising both Test and one-day series at our venues in Sharjah and Morocco," Noorani said. "It's true that no international match has been staged in Morocco so far, but we do keep organising inter-regional matches there. We have five wickets, all maintained to international standard."

The cricket stadiums in both Sharjah and Morocco are owned by Abdul Rahman Bukhatir, who is the president of the CBFS and also heads the Emirates Cricket Board.

Noorani said: "Pakistan, in particular, have suffered huge financial losses. First, India pulled out of the tour because of political reasons and then New Zealand and Sri Lanka cancelled their tours, citing security concerns in the region.

"We would be more than willing to help Pakistan and I understand the Pakistan Cricket Board has already agreed in principle to staging home Test and one-day matches in independent venues. We have over 20 years of experience of organising international matches."

The CBFS chief executive sees no threat to their forthcoming three-nation limited overs tournament in Sharjah from October 26 to November 4. "All the three teams - Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe - have confirmed their participation and we are going ahead with the necessary arrangements," he said.

Sharjah schedule:
Oct 26 - Sri Lanka v Zimbabwe
Oct 27 - Pakistan v Sri Lanka
Oct 28 - Pakistan v Zimbabwe
Oct 30 - Sri Lanka v Zimbabwe
Oct 31 - Pakistan v Zimbabwe
Nov 2 - Pakistan v Sri Lanka
Nov 4 - Final

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