Pakistan's long suffering cricket fans, hardened to lopsided defeats, corruption scandals and absconding wicket keepers, face fresh humiliation - a proposal to play "home" Test matches in China, a nation with only a single grass wicket.
Touring sides have steered clear of playing in Pakistan since the attack last year on the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore, which killed six police officers and a driver. Six cricketers and a coach were also among the injured.
Since then Pakistan has played "home" tests against Australia in England, and against South Africa in deserted stadiums in the United Arab Emirates.
Now – risking inevitable jibes about getting out for a Peking Duck – Pakistan is looking to China to host matches, even though it languishes below such cricketing powerhouses as Iran and the Maldives in world rankings.
Javed Miandad, a former Pakistan captain who holds the position of cricket ambassador to China, has submitted a report to the Pakistan Cricket Board setting out the case for playing in China.
"At a time when cricket playing nations are reluctant to visit Pakistan, I think China is another option for us to arrange our home series at that neutral venue," he said.
