Pak tour SL 2011: Venues for Sri Lanka series can't be changed

Tags: Pakistan, Sri Lanka, PCB, venues, Pak tour of SL 2011

Published on: Jul 26, 2011

The Pakistan cricket Board has made it clear to the interim cricket committee of Sri Lanka that it will not be able to change the venues for this year's series between the two countries.

The Pakistan cricket Board has made it clear to the interim cricket committee of Sri Lanka that it will not be able to change the venues for this year's series between the two countries.

The PCB contacted the Sri Lankan cricket authorities, seeking an explanation over a statement made by one of their senor official that the SLC had still not agreed to play the series in the United Arab Emirates in October-November.

We spoke to them today and asked them about the statement by the SLC interim committee chairman UpaliDharmadasa who has said they hadn't been informed as yet about the venues for the series scheduled in October-November," a PCB official said.

"We basically informed them that the venues for the series and dates were only finalised after approval from the previous management of Sri Lankan cricket. And they should check their records," the official told PTI.

He made it clear that the PCB had only taken a decision to have the series in the UAE after talks with the Sri Lankan management and now it was too late for the series to be shifted to another location.

"We have already started making arrangements for the series," he added.

The series is Pakistan's home one, and as the Sri Lankans have refused to tour Pakistan owing to security concerns, the PCB decided to shift the rubber to the UAE.

"We haven't been informed of the venues for the series yet," SLC interim committee chairman UpaliDharmadasa was quoted as saying by the 'Daily Mirror' newspaper.

"In fact, the other day, I read on the BBC website that the series was confirmed to be played in Abu Dhabi. I learnt about it only then. We are going to discuss this matter at our meeting and then only we can communicate with the PCB and finalise the series," he said.

The PCB official said that both the boards had always enjoyed cordial relations and the misunderstanding apparently has emerged because of the change in management in the SLC.

"We have already started to send our teams to Abu Dhabi and Dubai to start making preparations for the series in conjunction with the Emirates Cricket Board while our broadcasters have also started arrangements for the series," he stated.

The Sri Lankan sports minister, MahindanandaAluthgamage had sacked the country's cricket administration on July 1 amid allegations of corruption and mismanagement.

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