In light of the ongoing military conflict between the two nations, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has begun developing a backup plan in light of the significant uncertainty surrounding Afghanistan’s participation in an upcoming T20 Tri-Series in Karachi.
The triangular series, which also includes Sri Lanka, is scheduled for 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 said.
Prior to their participation in the Tri-Series with Afghanistan and Pakistan, Sri Lanka has also been invited by the PCB to play three Twenty20 international matches between November 11 and 15.
Remarkably, the boards of Sri Lanka and Pakistan are also in negotiations for a hastily scheduled three-match Twenty20 series in Colombo from January 1–10.
The PCB will undoubtedly be at odds with Cricket Australia if this series is finalized. Cricket Australia recruited some Pakistani players for the Big Bash after being promised NOCs for the duration of the competition, which is set for December and January.
Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Hasan Khan, Haris Rauf and Hasan Ali have all been signed by Big Bash League teams, with Babar, Rizwan and Shaheen set to make their maiden appearances in the tournament.
“Obviously if the series with Sri Lanka is finalised, then either the selectors play without these players or the duration of their NOCs will have to be reconsidered by the PCB, meaning a disagreement with Cricket Australia,” the source said.
Cricket Australia contacted the PCB to address the situation after it recently declared that it had halted all NOCs granted to players for various leagues.
According to a different source, CA officials informed the PCB that their teams had already invested millions in advertising campaigns centered on the Pakistani players participating in the Big Bash.
Three players from Pakistan have also joined the Emirates International League’s Desert Vipers team for the current campaign.
Australia’s January tour of Pakistan to play three ODIs and as many T20 internationals is the last high-profile white ball series that Pakistan will have prior to the ICC World T20 Cup.
