PAK v SL 2019: "We are not paying any extra money to Sri Lankan players," says PCB CEO Wasim Khan

Sri Lanka will tour Pakistan for a three-match T20I and three-match ODI series.

Pakistan cricket team | Getty

Sri Lanka is scheduled to tour Pakistan for three-match ODI and three-match T20I series starting from Friday (27 September). After a lot of experienced players decided to opt out of the tour, Sri Lanka named second string teams for the limited overs series. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) CEO Wasim Khan has denied paying ‘extra money’ to the visitors to ensure the tour goes ahead.

As the security situation in Pakistan has improved, Khan said that the board has decide to that it will not host any more matches in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which has remained the country's home venue for a long time.

We have decided that we will play our matches in the country. Pakistan is safe and all security reports have suggested that security risks are manageable in the country,” Wasim was quoted as saying by Geo.tv.

READ ALSO: Sri Lanka team leaves for Pakistan despite security concerns

While talking about not playing anymore games in UAE, Khan said that UAE was not an option for Pakistan anymore because of the huge expense, as he said, “It costs us a lot of money hosting there. Security is fine in Pakistan, this is now our home venue.

When asked about the upcoming Sri Lanka series, he said, “Bilateral series against Sri Lanka is important, and let me tell you that we are not paying them any extra money. They're coming here for 13 days. Things are going in right direction for us.

Since a lot of new players are included in the Sri Lankan squad coming to Pakistan, the 48-year-old said, “Our focus was to get Sri Lanka here and which we have done successfully. The players who are coming to Pakistan have a point to prove, we must not underestimate the players who are coming. It is going to be a highly competitive series.

(With IANS inputs)

 
 

By Swapnil Shireesh Javkhedkar - 24 Sep, 2019

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