The Pakistan Cricket Board is planning to add five one-day internationals (ODIs) to their home season.
Karachi, Mar 14 : The Pakistan Cricket Board is planning to add five one-day internationals (ODIs) to their home season.
Australia's decision to avoid the violence-hit country earlier this week has led to this decision to add ODIs.
"We are trying to convince World Cup finalists Sri Lanka to visit Pakistan in April to play a five-match ODI series," a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) official told The News on Thursday
Five one-dayers and a Twenty20 International against Bangladesh is already lined up with Pakistan.
Bangladesh has confirmed its tour in the first week of April. We want to add five more one-dayers to the home season and hopefully Sri Lanka will come here for an ODI series," the Board official said.
PCB officials are working overtime to save their home season and to avoid heavy financial losses by lining up international games.
The reason to host top teams like Sri Lanka is that it will pave the way for the Asia Cup, which is scheduled on June 25 and the other reason is to have non-stop international cricket in the country over the next few months.
It is discerned that world champions might stay away from the eight-nation tournament because of security concerns and such a move could force other competing nations to follow suit.
We expect that successful visits of teams like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and the hosting of the Asia Cup would convince international cricket bosses that Pakistan is a safe place for international cricket.
Top PCB officials met in Karachi to discuss several national cricket issues. The officials discussed the issue of allowing leading national cricketers to play for English countries.
According to a Board official, that the PCB has devised a policy regarding country cricket, which will be player friendly.
The policy expected to be announced during the Executive Board meeting this month.
ANI