Lahore, Feb 22 : The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has invited the Indian cricket team for a three-match one-day international series next month in the event of Australia cancelling its team's tour to Pakistan over security concerns.

"We have formally sent a proposal to the Indians to play the short series in mid-March before the Australians come to Pakistan on March 29," the Daily Times quoted a PCB official, as saying.

He said the discussions for the series between India and Pakistan had been going on between the two boards following the hesitancy shown by Australian team in coming to Pakistan.

"Now it is decided that if the Australian tour goes ahead, it will be considerably shortened. Pakistan is now keen to utilise the free period in the first half of March," the official added.

He said the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has given an assurance to the PCB that they would consider the proposal and try hard to adjust in the series despite Indian team's hectic schedule in March.

"We keep our fingers crossed that both India and Australia will tour Pakistan," he said. "India could play all the games in Lahore, starting from March 12, in order to complete the tour in one week," he said.he Indian team is in Australia to participate in a tri-series, and will host South Africa in late March.

Australia's tour of Pakistan has been reduced from 48 days to 30 days, and is scheduled to start on March 29.

ANI