The start of 2009 saw the terror attacks on the Sri Lankan Cricket team in Pakistan, and consequently saw all International cricket ruled out in Pakistan for at least three years. Since their exile they have been on the lookout for neutral locations to play their matches. They recently concluded a series against Australia in the UAE, and are now considering England as their future home. Ehsan Mani, former ICC president, and a long-time advisor to the PCB is quoted telling Cricinfo, In the choice for neutral venues, I think England is an almost perfect option. And Yorkshire's chief executive, Stewart Regan couldn’t agree more: We put our hat in the ring about six months ago, given the troubles in Mumbai and Lahore, he told Cricinfo. If there is the opportunity to stage a neutral Test, then Headingley we feel would be a great venue because of the huge Asian demographic and the passionate cricket following in Yorkshire. When we've hosted Pakistan matches in the past, we've seen a huge level of support for the team, with Pakistan flags all over the county. Many second and even third-generation Pakistanis support the team even though they live in England. This prospect is unique and very exciting. Talks are on about a series against Australia being held in Yorkshire next year. Regan is quite pleased with the prospect and believes that the matches would attract a lot of interest. Pakistan against Australia would be very special. They are two of the leading cricket nations around the world, and we believe that of all of the venues in England, we could probably sell that match out or come very close to it, because of the huge level of interest in Yorkshire. Pakistan is also hoping to replace West Indies next year as England's opponents for a four-Test series. Salim Altaf, PCB chief operating officer, is quoted telling Cricinfo.: Ijaz Butt [PCB chairman] has met Giles Clarke [ECB] and negotiations are underway for a series of four Tests, five ODIs and two twenty20s. As West Indies has toured this year for two Tests, filling in for Sri Lanka, their slot for next year may now be empty so we are in a position to fill it. David Collier, the chief executive of the ECB, confirmed that talks are on. We all recognise that Pakistan are having an issue at the moment, in terms of being able to stage home matches. If we can get this sort of event, that does help them. I think we've got a broader responsibility to the global game. We are one of the few countries that have a number of international grounds and they (the venues) are desperate for content. Meanwhile the PCB has resorted to diplomacy in an attempt to regain at least some of the benefits of the 2011 world cup after the ICC voted that Pakistan won’t host any of the matches. While Ijaz Butt is on his way to meet his counterparts in Sri Lanka, and perhaps even India, the ICC claims that Pakistan's hosting rights were never taken away from them, only the matches.There is a possibility that Pakistan may request its share of matches to be moved to Abu Dhabi. However an ICC spokesperson says The ICC has never received any proposals from the PCB on alternate venues” so no decisions can be taken yet.There is also an option of a financial-sharing arrangement of the event's hosting fee with India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, but that all depends on how Butt’s talks with these nations go. The BCCI however denies knowledge of any such visit. It is also understood that though the BCCI and PCB shared a wonderful relationship, the former isn’t too pleased with Pakistan’s reaction to the World Cup issue.   read more »