Pakistan likely to play tri-series in Bangladesh

Pakistan likely to play tri-series in Bangladesh

Pakistan’s efforts to fill up their
international calendar after Australia’s withdrawal from their
March-April tour have received a boost with their participation in a
possible tri-series to be held in Bangladesh in June.
   Though the
schedules are tight – the Indian Premier League ends on June 1 and the
Asia Cup begins on June 24 – the tournament is likely to be held in
Dhaka before the Asia Cup and will involve India and hosts Bangladesh.
   ‘In
the beginning of June, there is a potential tri-series with Bangladesh
and India in Dhaka,’ Nasim Ashraf, the Pakistan board chairman, told
Cricinfo. ‘Tentative dates for it are from June 8-15, though it is not
yet confirmed.’
   Several complications lie in wait. Another
tri-series, in Bangladesh, involving India and South Africa, has also
been mooted in June, though that is yet to be confirmed. And Pakistan
are also trying to fix dates on a series of ODIs with Sri Lanka at some
point in June; the series was originally proposed for April-May, but
there’s a doubt due to the clash with the IPL.
   In either case,
the Pakistan board is confident that they will make up for the absence
of the world champions. Bangladesh are due to visit at the start of
April for a series of ODIs, after which the Asia Cup and then the ICC
Champions Trophy are scheduled to be staged in Pakistan.
   ‘Australia
not coming was unfortunate,’ Ashraf said. ‘But we are confident that we
have enough cricket lined up this summer to make up for it. There is a
lot of cricket on the calendar now.’