India to tour Pakistan next year

KARACHI: India will play a Test and a one-day international in Rawalpindi on their tour of Pakistan early next year despite the latest bombing in adjoining Islamabad, official said Tuesday.

The blast on Saturday evening devastated the five-star Marriott hotel and killed at least 60 people, including at least four 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 us."

The tour begins with a three-day side match at Hyderabad starting January 6, while Karachi will host the first Test from January 13 to 17.The teams will play the second Test in Rawalpindi from January 21 to 25 and the third in Lahore from January 29 to February 2.

The one-day series will start from February 6 in Faisalabad. The remaining matches will be played in Lahore (February 8), Rawalpindi (February 11), Multan (February 14) and Karachi (February 17). Karachi will host the only Twenty20 match on February 19.