UAE series to go ahead as planned

SLC’s attempt at changing venue fails again.

LAHORE:

While the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) pushed for a change in venue – wanting to have the series played at home – The Express Tribune understands that Pakistan’s ‘home’ series against the island nation will be staged in the UAE as planned.

Last week, the SLC interim committee head Upali Dharmadasa claimed to have received no notification over UAE being finalised as the venue and said that they will try and have the matches in Sri Lanka instead. However, it seems that the SLC has acknowledged the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) stance and the series will be staged in the Emirates.

SLC’s side of the story

The SLC, currently facing a financial crisis, claimed that they were not informed of the venues and made an attempt at hosting the series themselves

The change in venue was a move to help them improve their financial situation as well that they had suffered after co-hosting the World Cup earlier this year.

“We are going to talk to the PCB again and try to convince them to host the series here as it will give a chance for the Sri Lankans to watch the matches,” said Dharmadasa.

PCB not convinced

However, the PCB had formally announced UAE as the venue for the series against Sri Lanka and England, the latter taking place early next year. The board added that the deal had been finalised with the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) as well. And since the MOU with the SLC and the ECB had already been signed, UAE is likely act as the host for the series.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 26^th,  2011.