England reconsidering being 2nd home to Pakistan: Reports

London:

Pakistan cricket faces a longer time in wilderness with England looking to shelve its plan to serve as a neutral venue for the troubled nation next summer following the spot-fixing scandal.

"After the spot-fixing crisis of the last fortnight, Pakistan are believed to have been written out of the script and fixture schedule for the 2011 season," Daily Telegraph reported.

England had planned to serve as Pakistan's second home till the security scenario improved in the troubled nation, which has not hosted any international cricket since the 2009 Lahore terror attack on the Sri Lankan team.

The ECB had also toyed with the idea of having an ODI series between India and Pakistan but decided to host a one-dayer between Pakistan and Sri Lanka as an alternative after failing to make a headway in its original plan.

"But such a cloud has descended on Pakistan that, according to a ECB official, 'nobody is thinking about that one any more'," the newspaper reported.

England's decision means Pakistan will have to spend more time in wilderness. Pakistan will play a Test and one-day series against South Africa in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, starting in late October, and in New Zealand after Christmas.

But once these series are over and the 2011 World Cup is also out of the way, Pakistan will have no choice besides Bangladesh and Zimbabwe to play against.