PCB may arrange series with Sri Lanka if India cancels tour

Karachi, Dec 14 (PTI) Faced with the prospect of India
cancelling its tour here next year, the Pakistan Cricket Board
has started making attempts to arrange an unscheduled series
with Sri Lanka.

PCB sources confirmed that senior officials are in touch
with the President of Sri Lanka Cricket to discuss the series.

"Pakistan board has more or less lost hope of India
getting clearance from its government to tour Pakistan or even
play the series at neutral venues," one source said.

"The Chairman of the board, Ejaz Butt, has also returned
from India without any positive assurance from his Indian
counterpart because of the strained relations between the two
countries," the source added.

Another source said Pakistan was now trying to arrange
something against Sri Lanka although it was already scheduled
to tour the pearl islands later in the year under a confirmed
Future Tours Program series.

"The modalities of if and when the Lankan team can be
available to play in Pakistan is being discussed as the Sri
Lankan board also wants to generate some revenues," the
source said.

Pakistan had invited Sri Lanka for a ODI series last year
but the Lankans didn't respond positively. But they promised
to tour Pakistan for the one-dayers early in 2009.

The source pointed out that chances of Sri Lanka agreeing
to the unscheduled series had improved as their players were
also free from Indian Premier League and Champions League
commitments.

"This is one reason why the national selectors have been
told to carry on their work and watch the players' form and
fitness in the ongoing Pentangular one-day tournament in
Karachi," the source said. PTI COR
DEP