PCB tried to get Bangladesh, Sri Lanka to tour Pakistan after New Zealand pulled out: CEO Wasim Khan

Wasim said that SLC and BCB were approached for a short series to make up for losses by NZ pull out.

By - 20 Sep, 2021

New Zealand pulled out of a white-ball series in Pakistan citing security reasons. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) approached Sri Lanka and Bangladesh boards to make up for the losses New Zealand’s decision will inflict on them. 

However, both Sri Lanka and Bangladesh refused to tour the country as the players of both the countries have prior commitments revealed PCB CEO Wasim Khan.

He added that Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) and Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) showed a willingness to play but could not send the players to Pakistan in such a short period of time. 

"Our chairman spoke to them and explored the possibility of short tours and they were very receptive but they pointed out it was very difficult for them to change their already confirmed plans and also some of their players were dispersed," he said as quoted by PTI

"They showed a strong willingness but because of the short time frame it was not possible for them to put in place a tour as they had prior plans for the World Cup," he added. 

Read also: Given the credible threat, there was no way we could stay in Pakistan- NZC CEO David White

Wasim Khan also ruled out the possibility of Pakistan abandoning their match against New Zealand in the T20 World Cup on October 26. He added that New Zealand’s action was a disrespect to Pakistan’s cricket. 

"We have a real problem in world cricket if perceived threats can't be discussed at the Government to Government or Intelligence level and teams can abandon a tour unilaterally," he said.

He also confirmed that PCB will approach International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding the issue as he believed there must be a level playing ground. 

"Since it is a bilateral series there is little hope of getting any compensation from NZ cricket unless we go to a dispute resolution committee. What we can do is ensure at the ICC board level that such things don't happen again. We are going to have full dialogue and discussion with them about the processes in place for such situations," he said.

(With PTI inputs)

By - 20 Sep, 2021

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