In a bid to fill in the gap created by the Australian's pullout, Pakistan have already hurriedly arranged a ODI series at home against Bangladesh from April 8 and have also invited Sri Lanka for a similar series.

Dr Nasim Ashraf, Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board told reporters on Friday that South Africa had responded positively to the invitation for the test series which is outside the Future Tours Program of the International Cricket Council.

"We want to play it sometime in October after the Champions Trophy. The South Africans are interested but it is not final whether we will go there or they will tour Pakistan," Ashraf said.

He said Pakistan would preferably like to host the South Africans for three Tests as, due to the postponement of the Australian tour, the national team would go without a Test match until January 2009 when India tour Pakistan.

"We have plenty of one-day games but we want to arrange some tests for our players as test cricket is still very important for us and the lifeline of the sport," Ashraf said.