India will play a Test and a One-Day International in Rawalpindi on its tour of Pakistan early next year despite the latest bombing in adjoining Islamabad, an official said Tuesday. The blast on Saturday evening devastated the five-star Marriott Hotel and killed at least 60 people, including foreigners. “India will play a Test and a One-Day International in Rawalpindi because the itinerary was approved by India before the Islamabad blast,” Pakistan Cricket Board chief operating officer Shafqat Naghmi said. “We hope normalcy returns by the time India tours.” Though the PCB has released the itinerary, the schedule will only be finalized after a delegation for the visitors complete security inspection. “The Indians have approved the itinerary and our security plan but will send a security delegation for an inspection tour before the series,” he said. “If their delegation makes any recommendations, we will look into them but for the time being, this itinerary is approved.” The Champions Trophy, the second biggest tournament after the World Cup, was due to be held earlier this month but was canceled due to security concerns in Pakistan. The Indian team stayed in the Marriott on its last two visits in 2004 and 2006. It also played a Test and a one-day in Rawalpindi in 2004 and a one-day in 2006. Naghmi said Rawalpindi is one of the most important venues in Pakistan. “We have recently renovated the stadium and hope that all will be well,” said Naghmi. The Indian team will arrive in Karachi on Jan. 4 to play three Tests, five one-day Internationals and a Twenty20 on their 47-day tour. The tour begins with a three-day side match at Hyderabad starting Jan. 6, while Karachi will host the first Test from Jan. 13 to 17. The teams will play the second Test in Rawalpindi from Jan. 21 to 25 and the third in Lahore from Jan. 29 to Feb. 2. The one-day series will start from Feb. 6 in Faisalabad. The remaining matches will be played in Lahore (Feb. 8), Rawalpindi (Feb.11), Multan (Feb. 14) and Karachi (Feb. 17). Karachi will host the only Twenty20 match on Feb. 19. This will be India's third tour of Pakistan since the two countries revived bilateral cricket series in 2004. India stalled the ties on political grounds in 2000. India's tour of Pakistan in 2004 was their first to Pakistan since 1990. Pakistan also toured India in 2005 - its first since 1999 - and then in 2007. Akhtar can play domestic Twenty20 The Pakistan Cricket Board dropped its opposition Tuesday to fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar playing in next month's domestic Twenty20 tournament. The PCB had sought a ruling from Lahore High Court judge Sayed Zahid Hussain on whether Akhtar was eligible to play in, or for, Pakistan without paying an outstanding fine of 7 million Pakistan rupees ($89,514). “We don't want to mix legal and cricketing issues and Akhtar can play in the Twenty20 tournament from October 4,” PCB chief operating officer Shafqat Naghmi said. The Lahore High Court on Monday deferred making a decision on Akhtar's pending fine until Oct. 3 - a day before the Twenty20 tournament begins in Lahore. Akhtar will represent the Islamabad Leopards team in the tournament. “We sought an advice from the (court) because we wanted to finish this pending issue of Akhtar's fine as quickly as possible,” Naghmi said. Selectors will closely watch player performances in the domestic Twenty20 competition ahead of choosing the Pakistan squad to travel to Toronto, Canada for an international Twenty20 tournament starting Oct. 10.
