According to reports, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has declined Sri Lanka’s invitation to participate in an ODI series. This decision comes after Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) offered to host the 2023 Asia Cup, resulting in a souring of relations between the two cricket boards.
Initially, SLC rejected PCB’s proposed ‘hybrid model,’ and subsequently, they extended an offer to host the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) event in Sri Lanka.
In preparation for the upcoming ODI World Cup scheduled for October-November in India, SLC suggested an ODI series between the Pakistan cricket team and Sri Lankan cricket team.
However, due to the strained relationship between the two boards following the developments regarding the Asia Cup, the PCB rejected the proposal.
A PCB source cited dissatisfaction with Sri Lanka’s intervention to host the Asia Cup in September, as it was supposed to be Pakistan’s opportunity to host the regional tournament at home, further exemplifying the deteriorating relations between the two boards.
According to a PCB insider, Chairman Najam Sethi had anticipated that Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), along with Bangladesh and Afghanistan, would help persuade the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and other Asian Cricket Council members to adopt the proposed hybrid model.
Sethi had hoped that at least three to four matches of the Asia Cup would be played in Pakistan before shifting the tournament elsewhere. However, the SLC’s offer to host the Asia Cup has left Sethi disappointed, particularly after some board officials, including those from Sri Lanka, visited India for the IPL final and held discussions with BCCI Secretary Jay Shah, who is the also the President of Asian Cricket Council.
Sethi had expected better cooperation and support from these board heads, considering the longstanding friendly relations between Pakistan and Sri Lanka.