Sri Lankan Cricket Board aiming to seal Test and ODI series against Pakistan and England
Sri Lankan Cricket Board is aiming to secure the scheduled Test and One Day International (ODI) match series with Pakistan and England, which is set to take place at the start of next year. Pakistan has not been able to stage an international
series after the Lahore attack on the Sri Lankan team during the second Test match of the 2009 series.
The situation has not improved a great deal since then and Pakistan has been forced to stage its own cricket series either in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/England-c749. Last year they played two Tests and two T20s against Australia in England,
while the ODIs, T20 and two Test matches against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757 were staged in UAE.
In wake of the prevailing situation, international cricket is not likely to be staged in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 in the nearby future. Sri Lanka is keen on hosting the England and Pakistan tour in their own backyard. In 2002 Colombo hosted a Test
match between Pakistan and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746, after the Aussies refused to tour Pakistan in the immediate aftermath of the 9/11 attacks in the United States.
Meanwhile Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials are considering the option of playing the England series in Sri Lanka. A leading official statement reported that the planning in this regard is underway yet nothing has been decided
as of now.
"We're working on several options for [hosting] that series, and UAE and Sri Lanka are a couple of them," Subhan Ahmed, the PCB's chief operating officer, told media. "Nothing is confirmed just yet."
On the other hand a member of the Sri Lankan Cricket Board http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Nishantha-Ranatunga-c79713 is very keen on hosting the series in his home country. He thinks that Sri Lanka would be an ideal venue as it was a favoured destination for both English
and Pakistan fans.
Pakistan played all its World Cup group matches in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758. A large number of fans from Pakistan travelled to the pearl island to see their team in action. Similarly a large number of journalists were also present to attend matches
involving the 1992 champions.
Ranatunga claimed that he is in negotiations with both boards and thus far some positive feedback has been received on the same.
"I have spoken to the cricket boards of both England and Pakistan and they have been very positive about playing the series in Sri Lanka," he said. "Pakistan chose Sri Lanka to play all their group matches of the 2011 World Cup and
they had a lot of crowd support”.
He added that cricket fans from England generally throng to Sri Lanka when ever their team is in action there. The Barmy Army according to Ranatunga has enjoyed previous tours here with the England teams.
On the other hand he also revealed that the series can help generate income for the Cricket Board and also improve the tourist industry.
One positive aspect for Pakistan is the cheaper option with reference to logistical costs than UAE. The situation is also one to look forward to for the English team as it would be better for them to play the three-Test, five-ODI series
in Sri Lanka instead of the UAE, as they are due to tour Sri Lanka for a full tour with the host country in March-April 2012.
A final decision in this regard is expected to be made within the next 30 days. In the meantime the Sri Lankan Cricket Board is trying its level best to leave a lasting impression with the first ever Sri Lankan Cricket League, which
is set to start at the end of July.
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