Emirates Cricket Board proposes seven match Pak, Australia T20 series

Thursday, 24 May 2012 00:41 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Islamabad (ANI): The Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) has proposed a seven match Twenty20 series between Pakistan and Australia in order to tackle the grilling conditions in the Middle Eastern country.

With Sri Lanka snubbing the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for hosting a limited over Pakistan versus Australia series, the PCB once again finds itself in a struggling position to find an apt place to host its ‘home’ series.

UAE have past experience in holding “home” games for Pakistan, and are keen to host Pakistan once again, although no concrete decision has been taken on this matter yet, as hot conditions during August seems to be the biggest hurdle in conducting the series.

But now the ECB has offered PCB to host a seven match T20 series between Pakistan and Australia.

Dilawar Mani, ECB’s Chief Executive has confirmed sending proposal to PCB. He also offered the rationale behind the suggestion to arrange the matches in the desert emirate.

“The proposal to hold this limited overs series has been made and is under consideration by the PCB. The actual offer is for Pakistan and Australia to play a series consisting only of T20 games,” PakPassion.net quoted Mani, as saying.

Mani, while recognising that atmospheric conditions are ruthless, believes that changing the structure of the series can play the games.

“Instead of playing a mixture of T20s and ODIs - we are proposing that the teams play 7 Twenty20s - with each game starting at 8p.m. to negate the effect of the sun. Heat may be a factor but for sportsmen this should not be a problem,” Mani said.

“In my experience, it’s usually the humidity that is sapping but in a 3 hour long T20 game with one side fielding for 1 and half hours, I don’t see a big issue for fit and professional cricketers,” he added.