ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AP):

The West Indies have cancelled the proposed two-Test series against Pakistan at a neutral venue but will go ahead with three limited-overs internationals in Abu Dhabi next month, a senior Pakistan Cricket Board official said yesterday.

The postponed Test series against the West Indies means that Pakistan will end 2008 without playing a single Test match.

"We have received an email in which the West Indies Cricket Board has said that they are unable to accept the invitation (for the Test matches) because the time is too short for the series," PCB director general Salim Altaf said.

The three one-day internationals between Pakistan and the West Indies will be played in Abu Dhabi as per schedule next month, he said. The West Indies are scheduled to tour New Zealand for two Test matches and five limited-overs internationals from December 11.

Future Tour Program

Altaf said that during an International Cricket Council meeting in December, officials from the West Indies Cricket Board and the PCB would meet and see whether the proposed two Test matches could be slotted into the ICC's Future Tour Program sometime next year.

"At the moment, we are now concentrating on hosting India early next year after playing three ODIs against the West Indies in Abu Dhabi," Altaf said. India are scheduled to tour Pakistan for three Test matches and five ODI's between January 4-February 19.

The eight other active test playing nations - India, Australia, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, West Indies, England, New Zealand and South Africa - have all played five-day Test matches during this time.