KARACHI: Sri Lanka has dropped plans to host a limited overs series between Pakistan and Australia in August as it clashes with the island's Premier League, Pakistani cricket officials said Saturday.
"It's disappointing," Pakistan Cricket Board's chief operating officer, Subhan Ahmed, told AFP.
"Initially the SLC (Sri Lankan Cricket) offered to host the series and we stopped negotiating with others."
Since Sri Lanka told Pakistan of its decision Friday, Pakistan had started negotiations with other countries about hosting the series, including the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Malaysia, he said.
"We are looking for other venues to host Australia... and hope to finalise it soon," said Ahmed.
Pakistan is due to play five one-day and three Twenty20 matches against Australia from mid-August, the dates of which are yet to be finalised.
Pakistan has been a "no go" zone for international teams since March 2009 terrorists attacks on the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore, which left eight people dead and wounded seven visiting players and their assistant coach.
Pakistan has since had to play its home games in neutral venues such as the UAE, England and New Zealand.
Australia has not toured Pakistan since 1998 and forced their hosts to play in Sri Lanka, the UAE and England.
Ahmed said that playing the upcoming series in Sri Lanka after its Premier League was not an option as the country would then be preparing to host the World Twenty20, from September 18 to October 8.
Despite the development, he refused to accept Pakistan was isolated in the cricket world: "I will not accept that Pakistan is isolated, because other countries were willing to host the series."
Bangladesh were also forced to postpone a planned tour last month after the Dhaka High court ruled Pakistan was "not safe" for the country's players on a petition filed against the two-match series.
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I whole heartedly feel sorry for cricket lovers of Pakistan and their never ending predicaments for they are a great cricketing nation. How could they come out of it when terrorism has become a way of life in Pakistan? I am even scared to visit it. In fact I often wonder whether Pakistan could ever get out of violence for extremist religious bigots has been panning out terror campaigns on daily basis. It seems they are a law unto themselves. Like we Sri Lankans have done, majority Pakistanis must find a leader who could rid the terrorists for once and for all. See even Russia has done it too. But to do that, Pakistanis must first find a way to keep these hypocritical, two faced Bandito Yankees out. Leela
Hmm.. wise guys, the Sri Lankans.. they got the message pretty quickly! No that we didn't have other tricks to tame them in case they tried to argue with us about it! Hey Pakis.. still looking for the apology from US, huh?
this is a conspiracy against pakistan and islam.
UAE grounds are much better. Pakistan should only play there, don't understand why they were opting for SL anyway
he refused to accept Pakistan was isolated in the cricket world.
Denial is a trait found in our national character. This trait has led us into this chaos. Its a national epidemic. Self-accountability, critical thinking, introspection: all are an alien concept for the majority of us.