BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – West Indies A will face Pakistan A in a near month-long tour of the Caribbean next month as the West Indies Cricket Board continues to expand its vision of reviving the A team programme.
The Board announced Thursday that the Windies A would play two four-day “Tests”, three one-day matches and two Twenty20s in a series running from November 5-27.
This represents the fourth series since the A team programme was revived in April and WICB corporate communications officer Imran Khan said it was a further demonstration of the Board’s commitment.
“The A team programme had become dormant some ago and it was resuscitated and we want to ensure there is a continued A team programme so that the players that are just below the Test and one-day level are able to play more cricket, quality cricket against opposition that are of international quality,” Khan told CMC Sports yesterday.
“This current tour by Pakistan to the Caribbean, it follows on from the tour of Bangladesh and to the UK.”
The A team programme was revived in April when Zimbabwe toured the Caribbean ahead of the World Twenty20 Championship, and continued with tours to Bangladesh in May and England and Ireland in July.
West Indies A will open the Pakistan tour with back-to-back T20s at the Sir Vivian Richards Ground in Antigua on November 5 and continue with three one-dayers in November 9-14, before concluding with the four-day “Tests” at the Arnos Vale Sports Complex in St Vincent from November 18-27.
Khan said the WICB had experienced little problems in finding opposition for the Windies A side.
“There are several teams that had expressed interest in touring the Caribbean and Pakistan have agreed to come in November,” he pointed out.
“There are other teams that have expressed interest in coming at various times throughout the year and as those tours are finalized they will be announced.
“The Caribbean remains a premium destination for international teams and for A team tours and national boards around the world are very keen to come to the Caribbean to engage the West Indies A team.”
England Lions, the England Cricket Board’s A side, are expected to play in the regional first class championship next year.
Itinerary: Nov 5: 1st T20 – Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Grounds (6:30 pm)
Nov 6: 2nd T20 – Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Grounds (6:30 pm)
Nov 9: 1st one-day match – Grenada National Stadium (9 am)
Nov 11: 2nd one-day match – Progress Park (9am)
Nov 14: 3rd one-day match – Grenada National Stadium (9am)
Nov 18 to 21: 1st “Test” – Arnos Vale Sports Complex (9:30am)
Nov 24 to 27: 2nd “Test” – Arnos Vale Sports Complex (9:30am)
