PCB in talks for Abu Dhabi tri-series

Pakistan is looking to fill gaps in their international season after the World Cup with a series of ODI commitments during the summer, a period in which they currently have no assignments inked in.

Nasim Ashraf told reporters in Islamabad after a meeting of the board's ad-hoc committee that discussions were underway for a possible tri-series in Abu Dhabi in May, with Sri Lanka and South Africa.

"Pakistan and South Africa have confirmed their availability and after getting confirmation from Sri Lanka the series will be on," Ashraf said.

He also revealed that Pakistan will face India in a Prince Charles charity ODI in London on July 12 and the revenue generated from the match would be distributed among charities being run in South Asia by Prince Charles. Already, Pakistan is expected to receive in the region of 250,000 pounds from the Twenty20 match against England last summer, an amount expected to be spent in areas worst hit by the devastating earthquake that struck northern areas in Pakistan in October 2005.

Pakistan is also expected to compete in a four-nation Twenty20 contest in Canada in August, before the first Twenty20 World Cup, to be held in South Africa in September. Besides Pakistan, the West Indies have confirmed their participation while two other countries are also in discussions over the tournament.

Pakistan's U-19 team is due to tour Australia in April and England in May, while the Pakistan Academy team will visit Bangladesh.

Less good news was forthcoming on the much-discussed board constitution, however, as the federal law ministry is still vetting the new draft. Ashraf stopped short of setting another deadline, as two previous deadlines have already been missed.

The PCB is likely to face strong criticism over this issue at the joint session, on February 23 in Islamabad, of the National Assembly and Senate Standing Committees for Sports.