The decision of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to decline an offer for an ODI bilateral series in Sri Lanka stems from their dissatisfaction with the Sri Lankan board’s expression of interest in hosting the entire Asia Cup. Insider information reveals that the relationship between the PCB and Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has deteriorated due to the SLC’s proposal to host the complete Asia Cup, which contradicts the ‘Hybrid Model’ suggested by Najam Sethi. Sethi’s model involved four matches being held in Pakistan.

The strained relations between the two boards became apparent when the PCB rejected the Lankan proposal to play a few One-Day International matches in Sri Lanka the following month. Although Pakistan is scheduled to visit Sri Lanka in July for two Tests as part of the next ICC World Test 💧Championship cycle, the SLC suggested that Pakistan also play some ODIs to gain more exposure before the main event in October, assuming they qualify from the World Cup qualifiers in Zimbabwe.

However, a reliable source confirms that the PCB has now turned down the proposal after initially considering it. This decision clearly indicates the PCB’s unhappiness with the Sri Lankan board’s offer to host the Asia Cup in September, especially considering that it is Pakistan’s turn to host the regional event at home. Furthermore, PCB chairman Sethi is disappointed with the response from the Bangladesh and Afghanistan boards regarding the Asia Cup issue.

Sethi had expected Sri Lanka, with whom Pakistan has had longstanding friendly relations, along with Bangladesh and Afghanistan, to persuade the Indian Cricket Board and other members of the Asian Cricket Council to accept Sethi’s proposal of playing three to four games in Pakistan as part of the Asia Cup before relocating the tournament elsewhere. Sethi’s disappointment grew when some of these board heads went to India for the IPL final and met with the BCCI secretary, Jay Shah.

Overall, the PCB’s refusal to play the ODI series in Sri Lanka can be traced back to their displeasure with the SLC’s decision to host the entire Asia Cup and their disappointment with the responses from other boards involved in the matter.