PCB asks UAE not to host any leagues from Oct to March

In order to safeguard its commercial interests connected to the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and other bilateral series', the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has asked the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) not to host any league during the October-March corridor.

A top PCB official, on Sunday, told DawnNewsTV that the PCB has sought written assurances from the ECB that they will not host any T20 Leagues from October 2018 to March 2019, which could otherwise create a conflict of interest with their bilateral fixtures with Australia and New Zealand, and the PSL.

According to the official, the PCB is considering Malaysia as an alternative to the UAE as potential home venues, in case the ECB does not deliver the assurances.

"If they do not give us these firm commitments, then we will consider the option of moving our fixtures to Malaysia. We have checked their facilities and they are up to the mark," the official said.

A T-10 league is scheduled to be held in the UAE towards the end of the year.

The Afghanistan Cricket Board has also announced that their T-20 league will be held in October.

Last year, the PCB had received criticisms for allowing its players to feature in the T10 league in the UAE months ahead of the PSL's third edition. The board, however, fended off those objections by saying it would not affect the PSL.