Pakistan's proposed tri-series in Dubai cancelled

A proposed tri-series involving Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in Dubai, scheduled potentially for late March, has been cancelled. It is thought the unavailability of Sri Lanka in that period scuppered the plans. Though it now stands cancelled, it isn't certain whether it was ever officially on.

"The event will not go ahead," a senior PCB official told Cricinfo. "We were told Sri Lanka could not make it in that time but no reason has been given."

The event was part of a deal which the PCB signed with Dubai Sports City, but which has been the subject of some contention and confusion. The deal was brokered - but not apparently signed - last year by the PCB at a time when Nasim Ashraf had resigned as chairman of the board and there was considerable administrative chaos within the organisation.

Finally, a deal was signed by Ijaz Butt, the present board chairman. For Pakistan, faced with uncertain commitments at home due to the unstable security situation that has seen several sides refuse to visit, the deal was a pragmatic path to playing and gaining financially.

At the time, Shafqat Naghmi, then chief operating officer, said the three-year deal was worth US$9 million to Pakistan, who would be required to play a set number of matches through the year. It is understood, however, that the deal is not an exclusive to Pakistan and similar plans have been made with other subcontinent countries.

Pakistan, the official said, stood to earn US$2.9 million from the event, money which would have come in handy for a financially-strapped administration.