The Pakistan Cricket Board says it has applied to the sport's ruling body to use one of four neutral venues should the West Indies decide against touring there in February.

The grounds are at Sharjah and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, Rabat in Morocco, and Dhaka, where Test newcomer Bangladesh plays, according to PCB Chairman General Tauqir Zia. Sharjah and Dhaka already meet International Cricket Council standards to host Test matches.

At a meeting of Test-playing nations in Kuala Lumpur this month, the ICC agreed to let countries play on neutral grounds in light of events in Afghanistan. Pakistan and Afghanistan share a border for 2,430 kilometers (1,518 miles).

"It's safe to play cricket in Pakistan but if outside perception is that it is not then we have to find an alternative venue," Zia said. "It would be a home fixture so we should have the usual benefits like preparing the pitch."

Following the September 11th attacks, New Zealand cancelled plans to play three Tests and three one-day matches in Pakistan in September and October. The PCB then tried and failed to bring Sri Lanka there for three one-day matches.

Those cancellations, coupled with India's decision not to tour in January because of the hostilities between the countries over the disputed state of Kashmir, cost the PCB about $25 million in lost television and advertising revenue, Zia said.

India almost experienced similar problems with the England tour from November 14th. The England and Wales Cricket Board considered not going but received assurances on safety from officials and will tour. England bowlers Andy Caddick and Robert Croft, however, refused to go.

"Cricket in some countries, most notably Pakistan, is in the front line of world events," ICC President Malcolm Gray said recently. "We need to adopt creative solutions to support those affected and to overcome these problems."

© CricInfo Ltd.