Lanka yet to confirm Pakistan series in UAE

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) officials are sending conflicting signals from Colombo even as Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials are in the UAE to finalise arrangements for the forthcoming series between Sri Lanka and Pakistan in October-November.

Since UAE is the virtual second home for Pakistan cricket for several years since teams refuse to travel to Pakistan citing security concerns, PCB had requested the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) to 'host' the series against Sri Lanka.

Chief Operating Officer of ECB Dilawar Mani told Emirates 24|7 that he would be meeting PCB officials on Monday to finalise the tour itinerary for the Pakistan-Sri Lanka series which comprises five Tests, five one-day internationals and a Twenty20 match.

Zayed International Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi and Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai Sports City are the two most likely venues.

"They are also inspecting Sharjah Cricket Stadium which is also under consideration as a venue for a Test match or one-day internationals," he added.

But the newly appointed chairman of SLC's interim committee Upali Dharmadasa, has upset PCB officials by saying that the UAE venue for the series has not been confirmed.

“We haven’t been informed of venues for the series yet. In fact the other day, I read on BBC website that series was confirmed to be played at Abu Dhabi. I learnt about it only then. We are going to discuss this matter at our Interim Committee meeting and then only we can communicate with PCB (Pakistan Cricket Board) and finalise the venues,” Dharmadasa was quoted as saying by the Daily Mirror on Saturday.

He added that SLC will try to convince the PCB again to host the series in Sri Lanka as it will also give the Sri Lankan fans the chance to watch the matches.

The PCB had previously refused to play the series in Sri Lanka and preferred the UAE because it offered better profits.

Sri Lanka had been willing to tour Pakistan but the deteriorating security situation in the country led to a change in plans.

PCB and ECB officials expressed surprised that Dharmadasa professed ignorance that UAE had been announced as the venue for the series.

"We are very surprised because before making a formal announcement about the series we had formal approval of the SLC. There could be some misunderstanding that needs to sorted out but the series is in the UAE and we have started making arrangements for it," a PCB spokesman told the Press Trust of India news agency.

"This is a matter entirely between the PCB abnd SLC but the statement by Dharmadasa surprised me.We have confirmed everything for the series and have already started preparations," said ECB's Mani.

He pointed out that the PCB had also signed a deal with ECB to have the series with England in the UAE beginning early next year.