MUMBAI: Since the 2009 terrorist attacks in Lahore, Pakistan have been forced to adopt the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as their ‘home’ venue. To protect its commercial interests connected to the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and other bilateral series, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) wants the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) to not host any other league during the October-March corridor.
A top PCB official was quoted in Pakistani media as having said that the PCB has sought written assurances from the ECB that they will not host any T20 Leagues from October 2018 to March 2019, which would otherwise create a conflict of interest with their bilateral fixtures with Australia and New Zealand, and the PSL.
The official added that the PCB has been considering Malaysia as an alternative to the UAE as potential home venues, in case the ECB isn’t able to fulfil their request.
“If they do not give us these firm commitments, then we will consider the option of moving our fixtures to Malaysia. We have checked their facilities and they are up to the mark,” the official said.
The Afghanistan Premier League is one tournament which is bound to be affected, as it is expected to take place in October. Whereas, the T-10 league will be back for its second edition towards the end of the year.
