Pakistan has confirmed it will host India for a Test and one-day series in January 2009.

The chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board Dr Nasim Ashraf on Monday dropped the defamation suit against fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar after the last named had made sensational allegations in the media against Ashraf.

India will travel to Bangladesh for a tri-series involving Pakistan soon after the conclusion of the Indian Premier League on June 1.

Pakistan’s prolific batsman Mohammad Yousuf will continue to be barred from playing in the Indian Premier League after the arbiter hearing the case filed against him by the rival Indian Cricket League, passed an interim order on Saturday stating that Yousuf will not be able to take part in the tournament.

Controversial Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar , who was handed a five-year ban by PCB, breathed a huge sigh of relief on Sunday when the appellate tribunal of the Pakistan Cricket Board decided to suspend the ban on him for a month so that he could be free to play in the Indian Premier League.

Banned Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar's woes have been further compounded after Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Nasim Ashraf filed a defamation suit of Rs 220 million against the controversial cricketer.

Despite his reinstatement as an ICC Elite Umpire, the Pakistan Cricket Board has strongly objected the Australian’s return and has warned that they will not allow the controversial official from officiating in Tests involving Pakistan.

A three-man tribunal in Lahore has rejected controversial Pakistan paceman Shoaib Akhtar's appeal against a five-year ban imposed by the Pakistan Cricket Board.

Pakistan Cricket Board confirmed on Friday that they will host New Zealand for a three-match One-Day International series from August 24-30.

Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram has called on the custodians of the game to revive 50-50 (one-day) cricket to ensure its survival amid growing popularity of 20-20 cricket.