PCB refuse to play Sri Lanka’s ODI bilateral series : Reports

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is displeased with Sri Lanka’s aim to host the entire Asia Cup and has turned down the latter’s offer to play an ODI bilateral series in the island nation. According to PCB insiders, ties between the PCB and Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) have soured following SLC’s offer to host the entire Asia Cup rather than the four games held in Pakistan under the ‘Hybrid Model’ offered by Najam Sethi.

“An example of the increasingly strained relations between the two boards emerged after the PCB turned down a proposal by the Lankans to play a few One-Day International matches next month in Sri Lanka,” a PCB source said.

Pakistan Cricket Board refuses to play ODI series in Sri Lanka after Sri Lanka Cricket Board’s proposal to host Asia Cup 2023. (According to PTI)

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Pakistan is scheduled to visit Sri Lanka in July to play two Tests of the next ICC World Test Championship cycle, and the SLC has apparently suggested that Pakistan also play a few ODIs as they are confident their team will qualify for the World Cup qualifiers in Zimbabwe and would benefit from more exposure before the main event in October.

However, a trustworthy source stated that the PCB had turned down the request after first suggesting it would be considered.

“It is clear that the PCB is unhappy with the Sri Lankan board stepping in to offer to host the Asia Cup in September when it is Pakistan’s turn to host the regional event,” a source said.