Sri Lanka have backed out of hosting a series between Pakistan and Australia since it clashes with the schedule of the inaugural Sri Lankan Premier League. This has forced PCB to look for alternate venues.
"We are looking for other venues to host Australia, we were in negotiations to finalise Australia series in Sri Lanka but due to their Premier League which is to be held in August directly clashing with our plan, we have to find another venue.", Subhan Ahmed, the PCB's chief operating officer told the reporters.
The Sri Lankan Cricket Board had agreed in March to host the series, at that time the plans for SLPL were still in doubt. The first season which was to be held last year had already been cancelled. The Sri Lankan Board signed a new deal to hold the SLPL this August.
Nishantha Ranatunga, the secretary of SLC, explained that Sri Lanka backed out because there is too much cricket being played in Sri Lanka. He said they won't have enough grounds and facilities to hold the series with the SLPL being played and that too much cricket might damage the pitches for the upcoming T20 World Cup.
Pakistan were scheduled to play Australia in five ODIs and three T20Is to prepare for the upcoming world cup. Pakistan, who are still banned from hosting international cricket, were initially considering South Africa and Australia to host the serie.
GeoSuper