Pak-Sri Lanka series called off

By Rizwan Ehsan Ali

ISLAMABAD, OCT. 5. The proposed three-match one-day International series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka was called off on Friday owing to security fears.

It was the second blow to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) which is under financial crisis after New Zealand postponed its three- Test tour of Pakistan last month.

Pakistan had invited Sri Lanka for a short three-match one-day series in mid-October to make up some of its reported loss of over $30 million. The PCB had proposed the dates October 17, 19 and 21 for the three one-dayers in Karachi and Lahore.

The decision to call off the series was mutually taken by the two boards after it became clear that it was not possible to ensure an immediate safe exit for the Sri Lankan team in case the international situation deteriorated suddenly, according to Pakistan media manager Khalid Butt. ``They were keen to help us out but the international situation was too fluid to firm up the arrangements, Mr. Butt said.

The chairman of the PCB, Lt. Gen. Tauqir Zia, has also expressed his thanks to the Sri Lankan Board and its players for their gallant gesture by offering to play in Pakistan in spite of the situation.

The Sri Lankan Cricket Board had asked the PCB to guarantee the safety of its players in case the United States attacked Afghanistan during the one-day series and Pakistan was declared a no-fly zone.It was also reported that the Sri Lankan High Commission in its report to the Sri Lankan Board had said that while the present situation in Pakistan was normal and matches could be played in Lahore and Karachi, it could not guarantee anything in case of an attack on Afghanistan. PCB officials and Sri Lankan Board officials held discussions several times on Thursday, but the stalemate could not be broken.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Sport
Previous : Ganguly, Tendulkar enthrall spectators
Next     : England names same squad