West Indies have finalised the dates for their white-ball tour of Pakistan, which will see them play three T20Is and as many ODIs between Dec 13 and 22. All the games will be played in Karachi, with the ODIs part of the World Super League cycle leading up to the 2023 World Cup.
The announcement of the tour should assuage any concerns surrounding the uncertainty of the tour after Pakistan's entire home season was plunged into jeopardy when New Zealand withdrew from a tour on the day of the first match in September, citing security concerns. It was swiftly followed by England calling off their planned four-day tour in October.
West Indies last visited Pakistan in 2018 for three T20I games in Karachi, though at the time, several leading players opted out of the tour. A full-strength squad is expected this time around, and PCB chairman Ramiz Raja hoped capacity crowds would be able to attend.
"West Indies have always remained one of Pakistan cricket fans' favourite sides," he said. "I am hopeful that the NCOC [National Command Operation Center] will support this series by allowing maximum crowds so that the fans can watch their favourite players live in action and back both the sides. After missing out on home internationals in September and October, the West Indies tour will formally kick-off of an exciting and entertaining season of men's international cricket in Pakistan with HBL Pakistan Super League 2022 and Australia's first full series to follow."
The West Indies tour is scheduled to be followed by the Pakistan Super League and Australia's first visit to Pakistan since 1999, though the New Zealand and England withdrawals have cast doubt over the certainty of it materialising. To accommodate that tour and avoid a clash with the IPL in April, the PCB brought forward the dates of the PSL to January-February from its usual February-March slot.