Karachi, Feb 18: India have asked the Pakistan Cricket Board not to schedule any Test matches during their ice-breaking tour of Pakistan next month in the volatile cities of Karachi and Peshawar. ''The Indians want to restrict the length of stay of their teams in these two cities and want to play one-day internationals in Karachi and Peshawar instead of Test matches,'' PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan said.
''I have had a discussion with the Indian board president Jagmohan Dalmiya and he has asked us to see what can be done to avoid a long stay for the Indian team in both cities,'' Khan said.
The southern port city of Karachi, and Peshawar, were both avoided by South Africa and New Zealand on recent tours.
Khan said the PCB was seeking government advice on the Indian request.
''It is a sensitive issue since Karachi and Peshawar are major venues, but we also have to keep in mind Indian sensitivities,'' he said.
''One thing is for certain though: we will have matches at both places. Whether these are Tests or ODIs will be decided by Friday.''
Shaharyar said Dalmiya had told him the Indian players had some preconceived ideas about Karachi and Peshawar because of recent events and were thus reluctant to stay long in the cities.
''The itinerary will be finalised later this week in consultation with the Indian board. But we have also asked them to understand our point of view about playing in these two cities,'' Khan said.
Khan said that if the Indian board wanted, the PCB would be willing to provide special protection units for their senior players like Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Sourav Ganguly. Bureau Report