Pak, Sri Lanka cricket boards sign T20 Premier League agreement

Lahore, June 29 (ANI): The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has signed an agreement with Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) under which the two boards have agreed to allow their players to take part in the domestic T20 Premier Leagues of both countries.

"Under this agreement we will allow our players to go and play in the Sri Lankan Premier League and Sri Lanka have agreed to permit their players to come and play in Pakistan when we launch our Premier League," the Daily Times quoted PCB chief Zaka Ashraf, as saying.

Sources however said that under the contract, both boards would give clearance to their players, but could not force them to play in either country.

While Sri Lanka will hold its premier league from August 10, Pakistan is yet to announce dates for its league, which will be held sometime in November this year.

Ashraf also expressed his desire to sign a similar contract with the Bangladesh Cricket Board.

Ashraf said he had spoken to officials of the South African, Australian and England boards and had received positive responses from them.

"These boards have assured us that whenever we launch our domestic premier league they will see if they can make their players available for it," he said.

But Ashraf admitted that at present no board was interested in sending its national team to Pakistan because of security concerns.

"Frankly no one is interested in making tours to Pakistan as they point out to the security issue in Pakistan," he added. (ANI)