PCB mulls shifting series against West Indies from UAE to Sri Lanka

Board feels the pinch as UAE increase prices of venues and accommodation

KARACHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is considering shifting its September-October home series against the West Indies from the UAE to Sri Lanka due to the soaring cost of playing in the Middle East, according to the Emirates Cricket Board’s (ECB).

It has been learnt that the PCB feels that their Emirati counterparts are asking too much for venues and accommodation, which makes it difficult for them to profit from their home series, which have been played in the UAE for the last several years.



The PCB is, hence, expected to write a letter to Sri Lanka Cricket to initiate official correspondence on the subject.

“We’re not bound to hold our Future Tours Programme (FTP) series in the UAE, so Sri Lanka and Bangladesh can be considered as alternate options for our home series as playing there is affordable in comparison,” a senior PCB official told The Express Tribune.

He added that keeping in mind the constant hike in the cost of organising matches in the UAE, the board’s profits are steadily diminishing. “All the broadcasting rights have already been sold, so an additional way to earn money is to cut down on expenses, which is where Sri Lanka comes into the equation.”

He also explained that ticket sales do not constitute the major portion of revenue, adding that the money saved in venue and accommodation costs in Sri Lanka would be massive, which will easily cover for the drop in ticket sales.

$3.5m paid to ECB for PSL in venue costs

It has also been learnt that the PCB paid over $3.5 million for hosting the Pakistan Super League (PSL) in Dubai and Sharjah this year. Moreover, the board had to accept all demands of the ECB so that the venture could be accommodated alongside the less successful Masters Champions League (MCL).



The Express Tribune understands that the ECB is now quoting figures well over $3.5m for the PSL’s second edition, which is expected to be held in February 2017.

‘MCL organisers attempting to disrupt PSL again’

According to the official, the PCB is aware that the MCL organisers are planning to launch another franchise-style league in 2017 after the apparent failure of their earlier project.

“The MCL organisers are creating a new drama after their last venture that bombed, and are contemplating forming another league in which the teams will be named after the participating countries,” said the unnamed official. “Why is all this being done around PSL? The International Cricket Council should look into the matter; we’ve already written a letter to them in this regard.”

Published in The Express Tribune, May 13^th, 2016.

Like Sports on Facebook, follow @ETribuneSports on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.