Miffed with SLC, Pakistan refuse to play ODI series in Sri Lanka - Reports

Pakistan cricket team will travel to Sri Lanka for two-match tests series.

Pakistan have reportedly refused to play an ODI series against Sri Lanka in July after their scheduled tour for two tests in the next World Test Championship cycle. According to a few media reports Pakistan Cricket Board is miffed with the Sri Lankan Cricket Board after they came forward to host Asia Cup in September in case the tournament shifted out of Pakistan. Now Pakistan have dropped the idea of playing ODIs due to unforeseen circumstances. There is a tussle going on between Asian Cricket Council members about hosting the Asia Cup tournament. As India had refused to play in the Asia Cup in Pakistan. 

PCB miffed with Sri Lankan Cricket

Pakistan Cricket Board had offered a ‘hybrid’ model of hosting the tournament but reportedly Sri Lankan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan have denied participation in that. A source within the PCB has informed, “It is a clear indication that the PCB is not happy with the Sri Lankan board stepping in to offer to host the Asia Cup in September when it is Pakistan’s turn to host the regional event at home”. Sri Lanka wanted to play a few ODIs against Pakistan citing the big ICC Cricket World Cup in October. The source also revealed that PCB is also not happy with Afghanistan and Bangladesh Cricket Board as well over the Asia Cup issue. 

Pakistan will be travelling to Sri Lanka to start their World Test Championship campaign for the next 2023-25 cycle. Pakistan will be playing two test matches in the series. There’s a big uncertainty looming over the Asia Cup tournament in September this year. BCCI has refused to travel and play in the ‘hybrid’ model given by the Pakistan Cricket Board. Sri Lanka are the winners of the Asia Cup, they defeated Pakistan in Asia Cup 2022 final just before the T20 World Cup 2022.