Karachi, August 20: Pakistan Cricket Board is yet to take a call on the venue for the ODI series against New Zealand later this year as holding matches in the Dubai Sports City has proved to be an expensive proposition for the already cash strapped PCB.
Despite indications that the PCB was interested in hosting New Zealand for a one-day series in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, now it seems they are having second thoughts after the experience of their home series against Australia in the venue earlier this year.
“While hosting matches in Abu Dhabi has not proved that expensive but organising matches in the Dubai Sports City was an expensive experience for the board,” one official told PTI.
He said the DSC had racked up a bill of nearly USD 2.5 million for hosting two ODIs and a Twenty20 match against Australia in April-May.
“The PCB is now undecided about where to host the one-day series and have even asked New Zealand to suggest neutral venues or host the series at home,” the official stated.
The official said as New Zealand was not inclined to play five ODIs and a T20 match at Abu Dhabi, the three Tests might be held in the Kiwi’s own backyard as agreed by both the boards.
“New Zealand Cricket have told the PCB that the cost for hosting three Tests would be around USD 450,000,” the official said.
New Zealand was due to visit Pakistan in October-November on a scheduled tour but have refused to send their team to the strife torn country citing security reasons.
But New Zealand have agreed to play the series at neutral venues or even host the Tests at home.
The poor security situation in Pakistan has forced the national team to play all its Tests and bilateral ODI series abroad. England will host Pakistan-Australia Test series next year while they have also invited Pakistan for a Test series that is not part of the Future Tours Programme.
“Pakistan’s Test series next year in England is not part of the FTP and negotiations are being held between the two boards over the sharing of revenues. The PCB has apparently agreed to a fee of USD 3.5 million to play the series from the England and Wales Cricket Board,” one source said.
The ECB is expected to rake in between USD 15-20 million for hosting the series against Pakistan.
—–PTI