PCB rules out change of venues for Pak-Lanka series

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has ruled out any change of venues for this year's series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Pakistan are scheduled to play their home series against Sri Lanka in October-November in the UAE which comprises five Tests, five one-day internationals and a Twenty20 match.

But the newly-appointed chairman of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) interim committee Upali Dharmadasa recently made a conflicting statement that the UAE venue for the series had not been confirmed yet.

"We haven't been informed of venues for the series yet. In fact the other day, I read on BBC website that series was confirmed to be played at Abu Dhabi. I learnt about it only then. We are going to discuss this matter at our Interim Committee meeting and then only we can communicate with the PCB and finalise the venues, Dharmadasa was quoted as saying by the Daily Mirror.

He has also said that the SLC would again try to convince the PCB to host the series in Sri Lanka as it would also give the Sri Lankan fans the chance to watch the matches.

The PCB which had previously refused to play the series in Sri Lanka and preferred the UAE because it offered better profits again made it clear that the series would be held in UAE.

A PCB official said that there was no chance of change of venue for the series. "The venue and dates for the series were finalised after approval from the previous management of Sri Lankan Cricket (SLC). And their interim management must be knowledgeable about that as it is on records," PCB Media Manager Nadeem Sarwar told APP.

He said that the PCB had not received anything in written from the current SLC management about the change of venue and the board was trying its best to hold the series in a befitting manner.

"A PCB team is currently on visit to UAE to finalise tour itinerary and make arrangements for the series," he informed.

Since foreign teams are reluctant to travel to Pakistan, the PCB had requested the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) to 'host' the series against Sri Lanka. Zayed International Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi and Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai Sports City are the two most likely venues. While Sharjah Cricket Stadium is also under consideration as a venue for a Test match or one-day internationals.

Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2011