Pakistan has reportedly rejected Bangladesh’s offer for a T20 tri-series in December, in which Sri Lanka would be the third team. The Mohsin Naqvi-led Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) declined the invitation due to concerns over players’ workload, and several prominent cricketers are already committed to the Big Bash League.
With no international fixtures scheduled in December and January, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) allowed its players to participate in foreign franchise leagues such as the Big Bash League and ILT20 in the UAE.
After that, Pakistan will have a schedule full of bilateral series and major tournaments before the 2026 T20 World Cup. The board is expected to carefully manage the players’ workload to keep them fresh for the busy calendar across all formats.
PCB rejects Bangladesh’s invitation for tri-series in December
According to a PTI report, Pakistan rejected Bangladesh’s request for a tri-series. A PCB official confirmed that the BCB had offered to host Pakistan and Sri Lanka as part of preparations for the T20 World Cup.
Stars like Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf and Shadab Khan have been cleared to participate in the Big Bash League during December-January, while other stars like Fakhar Zaman are set to feature in the ILT20.
“As it is, we have already given NOC permission to Babar Azam, Muhammad Rizwan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Shadab Khan to participate in the Big Bash League in Australia in December-January, while some other players like Fakhar Zaman are appearing in the Emirates International League,” the official said.
PCB allows players to join foreign leagues ahead of busy 2026 schedule
A senior PCB official confirmed that with no international matches scheduled in December and January, Pakistan players have been allowed to participate in select foreign leagues.
Cricket Australia requested the Pakistan Cricket Board to ensure that Pakistani players are available for the entire tournament while issuing the NOC. This window offers players rare flexibility before the demand phase begins in February.
Pakistan has a packed calendar featuring the Pakistan Super League (PSL) as well as several World Test Championship series. The official stressed that the upcoming workload will require careful management to keep the players fit and ready for the long international season ahead.
Pakistan Army provides security assurance to Sri Lankan players
The Pakistan Army stepped in to ensure the continuation of the Sri Lanka series after visiting players raised security concerns. Mohsin Naqvi told the Senate that Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir personally spoke to senior Sri Lankan officials to reassure them.
Following these high-level discussions, Sri Lanka Cricket confirmed that the tour will continue as planned. However, the program was slightly modified. The next match will be held on 18 November, with all remaining matches being shifted to Rawalpindi instead of Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
In 2009, a terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore left several players injured and Pakistani security personnel and civilians lost their lives. This incident is one of the darkest moments in cricket history.
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