Karachi: Pakistan Cricket Despite the civil and political unrest in the island nation, the board will support Sri Lanka in its endeavor to host the Asia Cup from August 27.
Sri Lanka has managed to successfully host the Australian cricket team without any security breaches despite civil unrest after former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled the country amid acute financial crisis.
A PCB source said chairman Rameez Raja spoke to top SLC officials and assured them that Pakistan would insist on staying in Sri Lanka for the Asia Cup, scheduled from August 27 to September 11.
“The PCB chairman has assured his counterpart that Pakistan wants Sri Lanka to host the regional event as it will mean revenue generation for the host country and also boost their tourism,” the source said.
The source also said that the PCB had also assured the Sri Lankan cricket authorities that the Pakistan team would play their Test matches in Galle and Colombo despite the ongoing unrest in the country.
He pointed out that although there is no official Asian Cricket Council (ACC) meeting scheduled in the coming days, all members will be present during the upcoming ICC Board meeting to be held in Birmingham from 22 August, giving them the opportunity to discuss a range of issues, including hosting. Will get a chance Rights of the next Asia Cup in Pakistan.
“Since all ACC members will be present, this will be discussed and Pakistan is clear that Sri Lanka should host the Asia Cup unless their board decides otherwise,” the source said.
“Pakistan’s stand is clear that it has a long standing relationship with Sri Lankan cricket and both have always supported each other in times of need.”
Raja to oppose BCCI’s demand for a bigger IPL window
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It is a well-documented fact that former Pakistan captain Raja is against BCCI’s move for a two-and-a-half-month IPL window in the next FTP calendar starting 2023.
With Pakistani players not participating in the IPL since the Mumbai terror attack, Raja feels there is no reason why he can support the BCCI’s move.
“Pakistan’s stand is clear. Since its players are not allowed to play in IPL and neither does BCCI have bilateral cricket ties with Pakistan, so what is it going to gain by supporting the extended IPL window,” the source questioned.
When the cricket board of a country gets a chance to play in the IPL, it gets 10 percent of the player’s earnings.
“If BCCI insists on an extended IPL window, Ramiz will emphasize that a country should not be isolated and other boards benefit from it.”
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