Rawalpindi

"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 told AFP. "We hope normalcy returns by the time India tours us." He also stressed that Rawalpindi was one of the most important venues in Pakistan. "We have recently renovated the stadium in Rawalpindi, and hope when India tours us all will be well." The 47-day tour will begin with India playing a three-day warm-up match at Hyderabad's Niaz Stadium, starting on January 6 against a yet-to-be-named side. The Tests are to be played in Karachi, Rawalpindi and Lahore while Faisalabad, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Multan and Karachi will host the one-dayers. Karachi will also stage the Twenty20 game.