PCB approves plan to revive international cricket series in Pakistan

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has approved a 2011-2012 deficit budget that envisages plans to revive international matches in the country.

Pakistan has been forced to play all international cricket tournaments at neutral venues since the Sri Lankan cricket team bus was attacked in Lahore two years ago.

The PCB governing council did not disclose the budget amount.

"A deficit budget has been approved. We have been forced to play away from home for the last two years but the impression that we suffer losses in every series played on neutral venue is not correct," the Daily Times quoted PCB Chairman Ijaz Butt, as saying.

"We have plans to lift club cricket so that our domestic cricket improves and for that we have planned around 5,000 matches at club level in the country in the next season," said Ijaz added.

Pakistan, who hosted West Indies, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa in the United Arab Emirates, would also host their home series against Sri Lanka in October-November this year and England in the UAE.

Ijaz also said Pakistan was also endeavouring to host its own Twenty20 league, modelled on the Indian Premier League. "We want to stage our own Twenty20 league although we do not have the expertise but we are still trying," he added. (ANI)