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Pakistan likely to invite Sri Lanka for ODI tournament

The prospect of hosting a second-string Zimbabwean outfit later this year has forced the Pakistan board to contemplate organising a triangular one-day tournament instead of a bilateral one-day series involving Zimbabwe

Wisden Cricinfo staff
25-May-2004
The prospect of hosting a second-string Zimbabwean outfit has forced the Pakistan board to contemplate organising a triangular one-day tournament instead of a bilateral one-day series involving Zimbabwe in October-November this year. Zimbabwe are scheduled to play two Tests as well, but instead of playing five one-dayers against Pakistan, they might be involved in a triangular tournament with Sri Lanka as the third team.
Rameez Raja, the PCB chief executive, confirmed that the board was interested in having Sri Lanka participate in the tournament. According to a report in The News, a Pakistan daily, Rameez said: "Zimbabwe are scheduled to tour Pakistan in October to play five one-dayers and two Tests. But there is a proposal from many quarters and which has also interested our television right holders that we invite Sri Lanka and in the home season have a triangular series and the two Tests against Zimbabwe."
Rameez also clarified that Sri Lanka was being considered as the third team as all other sides were busy with various international engagements. According to the ICC's ten-year international itinerary, Sri Lanka are scheduled to visit Pakistan for a Test series in March 2005.
Outlining Pakistan's international commitments over the next few months, Rameez indicated that Pakistan would clash with Australia in a one-off ODI just before the ICC Champions Trophy, which England will host in September 2004.
Apart from that tournament, Pakistan will also be involved in two other one-day tournaments - the Asia Cup in July-August, the triangular competition in Holland involving India and Australia - and a tour to Australia for both Tests and ODIs. Rameez hinted at a possibility of a third one-day tournament as well, in Sharjah. "We have some free time in between these events but we have kept them open because we are expecting the Cricketers Benefit Fund Series to have a tournament in Sharjah around November this year."