Windies to play tri-series against Zimbabwe, Pakistan

Bridgetown (Barbados), July 1 (IANS) The West Indies will take part in a three-nation series with Zimbabwe and Pakistan in Zimbabwe, the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) announced following its quarterly meeting here.

The tri-series will take place from mid-August to September this year and the WICB has promised to disclose further details later. However, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) are yet to confirm the scheduling of the series, reports CMC.

The series appears to have major importance for the West Indies since it could represent their last chance of securing the last spot in the 2017 Champions Trophy to be hosted in England in 2017. The West Indies and Pakistan are currently ranked eighth and ninth in the One-Day International (ODI) rankings with only a point separating them.

As of September 30, only the top-seven sides, apart from hosts England, will make it to the tournament. Bangladesh are ranked seventh and their recent win against India has given them a five-point lead over West Indies with a three-match home series against South Africa to follow in July.

Pakistan have five ODIs against Sri Lanka in July.

The Zimbabwe tri-series will be the only time West Indies play one-day cricket before the Champions Trophy cut-off date.