PCB rules out shifting SL home series

Lahore: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has made it clear it will not shift the upcoming home series against Sri Lanka, scheduled to be held later this month, to a neutral venue.

Sri Lanka’s tour to Pakistan appeared well on track before their Prime Minister’s Office received reliable information of a possible terrorist threat on their team, while touring Pakistan.

Following this, Sri Lanka Cricket said that they

need to “reassess” their plan for the Pakistan tour.

However, according to a report in cricketpakistan.com.pk, the PCB is closely monitoring the situation but any possible move about shifting the series to a neutral venue is out of question.

According to the report, the PCB is of the opinion that their plans about permanently bringing international cricket to Pakistan will be in jeopardy if they move the series to a neutral venue, it will put.

The board also believes that shifting the series to a neutral venue will make it difficult to convince foreign players to tour Pakistan, for the upcoming Pakistan Super League (PSL), as well.

Sri Lanka are scheduled to play three ODIS and as many T20Is in Karachi and Lahore between Sept. 27 and Oct. 9.

Earlier, 10 Sri Lankan players decided to opt out of the tour as their families were reportedly uncomfortable with the tour.

After this, Lahiru Thirimanne was announced as the skipper of Sri Lanka’s ODI squad while Dasun Shanaka was named captain for the T20I series.

International cricket was put on hold in Pakistan after a touring Sri Lankan team was attacked by gunmen on their way to the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore in March 2009.

Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed is still counting on Sri Lanka turning up for a limited-overs series despite alleged terrorist threats.

“Inshallah (God willing) they will come, we should hope for the best,” said on Friday in Karachi.

“The PCB is trying its best and we should all pray that international cricket should come back to Pakistan.”

Sarfaraz added the International Cricket Council and other national boards should come forward and support Pakistan more in its bid to revive international cricket back home.

“The way PCB has worked over the last 10 years, it’s a tremendous effort,” he said.

He also noted how quick Pakistan supported Sri Lanka after the Easter Sunday bombings there by sending a junior team to tour.

Major teams have avoided Pakistan since the Sri Lanka team bus was attacked by terrorists in 2009. Over the past three years, Pakistan has successfully hosted Zimbabwe, the West Indies, Sri Lanka, and a World XI in limited-overs matches amid intense security.

Meanwhile, Left-arm Pakistan pacer Wahab Riaz has taken an indefinite break from red-ball cricket in order to focus on limited-overs formats.

“After reviewing my past couple of years’ performances in red-ball cricket and the upcoming limited overs cricket, I have decided to take time off from first-class cricket,” Riaz said in a statement released by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Thursday.

He has conveyed his decision to the PCB while confirming that he has withdrawn from the upcoming Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, the first-class competition in Pakistan.

While has hasn’t ruled out his return to red-ball cricket in the future, the left-armer stressed that he would do so only if he’s convinced that that he can perform.

“During this period, I will like to focus on 50-over and 20-over cricket, and continue to assess my fitness for the longer version of the game.

“At a stage I feel I cannot only return but also perform with the red-ball, I would make myself available,” he added.

The 34-year-old last made a Test appearance against Australia in October 2018. Having made his Test debut in 2010, Riaz has featured in 27 Tests for Pakistan, grabbing 83 wickets.

Agencies