Islamabad, Nov 19 : Pakistan cricket coach Intikhab Alam has said that Test matches against India should be at a neutral venue in case the Indian government does not clear its cricket team’s tour of Pakistan in January due to security concerns.

“First of all, I think India should come to Pakistan. But if for any reason the tour does not go ahead as planned, I think playing at neutral venue is the best option,” The News quoted Alam as saying.

“Playing in India will be a disadvantage to us and I think the best option is to look for neutral venues,” he added.

Alam, who took over as coach only last month, said: “I saw the new stadium in Dubai which has a capacity of around 25,000 spectators and with Abu Dhabi also having good facilities I think both these venues could be utilized for Pakistan-India Test series.”

India are scheduled to tour Pakistan from Jan. 4-Feb. 19 for three Test matches and five One-day Internationals. However, the tour is in doubt, especially after the Indian government did not clear its junior hockey team to play five Test matches in Pakistan on security grounds last week.

Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ijaz Butt has said that the board could look for alternatives — including switching the series with India — in case the Indian cricket tour to Pakistan does not go ahead. (ANI)