ISLAMABAD // The UAE could host another international series later this year after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) shortlisted the Emirates and three other countries to stage its one-day international (ODI) and Twenty20 games against Australia.
Intikhab Alam, the PCB's director of international cricket, said yesterday Malaysia, Zimbabwe and South Africa are the other contenders.
Pakistan has to look for an alternative venue after Sri Lanka last week pulled out of hosting the series because it is organising the Sri Lanka Premier League in August.
"They [Sri Lanka] had their own problems so we have to look for alternative venue," Intikhab said.
The PCB is planning to host the five ODIs and three T20s against Australia close to the World Twenty20 to be hosted by Sri Lanka in September.
Intikhab said that the PCB might schedule the series against Australia for after Ramadan, which ends the third week of August.
"We are looking into it, but the venue will be finalised by the end of this week."
The PCB has been forced to organise its home series at neutral venues after foreign teams refused to tour Pakistan because of security concerns since 2009 when gunmen attacked Sri Lanka team bus at Lahore.
Pakistan has organised its home series against South Africa, Sri Lanka and England in the UAE over the last three years.
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