Karachi, Feb 27 The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has finally gained some success in reducing the gap in their Future Tours Program (FTP) calendar after New Zealand and West Indies agreed to play a tri-series here in August this year.

A senior PCB official told PTI that efforts have been made during the recent ICC meeting in Kuala Lumpur to arrange some one-day matches for Pakistan in the vacant period in the FTP calendar over the next few years.

"We have achieved considerable success in this regard as some 38 matches have either been finalised or are being negotiated with different boards," PCB chief executive Shafqat Naghmi said.

He said West Indies and New Zealand have agreed to visit Pakistan in August before the ICC Champions Trophy is held in Pakistan to play a tri-series on double league basis.

"The series will give our team and West Indies and New Zealand valuable practise before the Champions Trophy in September," Naghmi said.

Pakistan failed to persuade India to play three one-day games in Pakistan in mid-March.

Pakistan, desperate to organise some international matches, due to the cloud of uncertainty hanging over Australia's tour in March-April had invited India to play a series of three one-day games in Lahore in mid-March.

Australia have already reduced their tour from 44 days to around 29 days and are yet to confirm the revised schedule as they wait to send a security delegation to Pakistan early next month. (Agencies)