Karachi: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is reportedly working on an alternate plan for the upcoming T20 Tri-Series after serious doubts emerged regarding Afghanistan’s participation due to ongoing military conflicts. The triangular series, also featuring Sri Lanka, is scheduled from November 17-29.
“The PCB chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, has asked the International Cricket Council to start working on an alternate plan as he wants the Tri-Series to go ahead,” a source told reporters.
In the meantime, PCB has invited Sri Lanka to play three T20 internationals between November 11-15 before joining the Tri-Series alongside Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Future Plans with Sri Lanka and Big Bash Concerns
Discussions are also underway for a three-match T20 series in Colombo between Pakistan and Sri Lanka, tentatively scheduled from January 1-10. If this series is confirmed, it may create conflicts with Cricket Australia (CA), which has signed several Pakistani players for the Big Bash League starting in December.
Notable Pakistan players signed for the Big Bash include:
Babar Azam
Mohammad Rizwan
Shadab Khan
Shaheen Shah Afridi
Hassan Khan
Haris Rauf
Hasan Ali
Babar, Rizwan, and Shaheen are set to make their first appearances in the tournament.
“If the series with Sri Lanka is finalized, either the selectors will play without these players, or the duration of their NOCs will have to be reconsidered by the PCB, potentially leading to disagreements with Cricket Australia,” the source said.
Earlier, PCB suspended all NOCs issued to players for different leagues, prompting CA to engage in discussions to protect their commitments, especially after teams had invested heavily in promotional campaigns featuring Pakistani players.
Additionally, the Desert Vipers franchise in the Emirates International League has signed three Pakistani players for the upcoming season.
Pakistan’s only major white-ball series before the ICC World T20 Cup will be in January, when Australia tours the country to play three ODIs and three T20 internationals.
PCB Considers Alternate Plan For T20 Tri-Series Amid Afghanistan Participation Doubts
