PCB Refuses To Play ODI Series In Sri Lanka After SLC's Proposal to Host Asia Cup: Report

The strained relations between the boards became evident when the PCB turned down Sri Lanka's proposal for a few One-Day International matches to be played next month.

Najam Sethi had expected Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan, with whom Pakistan shares friendly relations, to convince the Indian Cricket Board and other Asian Cricket Council members to go along with his proposal and play three to four games in Pakistan before moving the tournament elsewhere.

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Karachi: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has expressed its dissatisfaction with the Sri Lankan board's desire to host the entire Asia Cup and has rejected their proposal for an ODI bilateral series. According to PCB sources cited by news agency PTI, the relationship between the two boards has soured after Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) offered to host the entire Asia Cup instead of the four games scheduled in Pakistan as per the 'Hybrid Model' proposed by Najam Sethi.

The strained relations between the boards became evident when the PCB turned down Sri Lanka's proposal for a few One-Day International matches to be played next month. Pakistan is set to tour Sri Lanka in July for two Tests of the ICC World Test Championship cycle, and the SLC had suggested adding some ODIs to provide more exposure to the Pakistan team ahead of the main event in October, assuming they secure a spot through the World Cup qualifiers in Zimbabwe.

However, a reliable source confirmed to PTI that the PCB has now rejected the proposal, indicating its displeasure with Sri Lanka stepping in to host the Asia Cup in September when it is Pakistan's turn to host the regional event. PCB chairman Najam Sethi is reportedly disappointed with the responses of the Bangladesh and Afghanistan boards regarding the Asia Cup matter.

Sethi had expected Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan, with whom Pakistan shares friendly relations, to convince the Indian Cricket Board and other Asian Cricket Council members to go along with his proposal and play three to four games in Pakistan before moving the tournament elsewhere. The source added that Sethi was disappointed by recent developments, particularly when some of the board heads visited India for the IPL final and met with BCCI secretary Jay Shah.

The PCB has not officially responded to Indian media reports stating that the BCCI and Jay Shah have rejected Sethi's hybrid model proposal and want the Asia Cup to be held in Sri Lanka. However, insiders reveal that the PCB is now considering strong decisions regarding the Asia Cup and World Cup if the Indian board does not change its stance on Asia Cup.