Pakistan-Sri Lanka series unlikely

Plans for a proposed one-day series in Sri Lanka involving Pakistan later this month took a hit with broadcasters quoting low figures to secure television rights for the event. With a proposed tri-series involving the two teams and South Africa also shelved, it seems unlikely that Pakistan will be play any international cricket in the fixture gap created by the postponement of the Champions Trophy.

"There has been a lack of interest. Some broadcasters, who did come forward, have quoted ridiculously low figures for the series. It would be impossible to hold a series on those terms," Shafqat Naghmi, PCB's chief operating officer, told Karachi-based daily the News.

According to him, one broadcaster offered around US$250,000-300,000 for the event - not even 10% of the figure which the board would normally expect for a series involving top cricketers from the two nations. Five ODIs and two Twenty20 internationals were lined up as part of the proposed series.

The PCB were expecting at least US$2.5 million for the television rights of a one-day series which would help break even. But, US$300,000 would barely be enough to pay match fees to the players of the competing teams, said Naghmi.

Pakistan will be now be involved in a four-day quadrangular in Toronto next month with Sri Lanka, West Indies and hosts Canada, ahead of the home series against India in January. Naghmi said Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Canada had signed MoUs with the event organisers and he was confident West Indies will also confirm their participation in the quadrangular.

Pakistan's national team players are likely to get a break in September and will be involved in the National Twenty20 Championship in Lahore from October 4 to 8, which will serve as a warm-up for the tournament in Toronto.