Huge appearance fees for SL,to pakistan tour

[moonjee06]

Huge appearance fees for SL

The PCB will have to pay Sri Lanka around $1.2 million as appearance fee for their forthcoming tour of the country.

The Lankans will play three Tests, three one-day internationals and a Twenty20 game.

Following India's pull-out of the scheduled tour of Pakistan, the board decided to invite Sri Lanka to fill the gap.

"Obviously we have to pay them (Sri Lanka) appearance fee as this is an unscheduled series and not part of the Future Tours Programme of the ICC," a board official told PTI on Saturday.

Under existing rules, host nations have to pay a minimum appearance fee of $150,000 per ODI and $200,000 per Test for an unscheduled series.

"The television deal we have signed recently with Ten Sports worth $140.5 million makes it clear we have to provide minimum of 200 days of international cricket to the broadcasters in Pakistan during the tenure of the contract," the official said.

"And after India cancelled its Test tour, we had no option but to invite Sri Lanka to ensure we fulfill part of our contractual obligations with the broadcasters and also generate much-needed revenues," the official said.

Sri Lanka have confirmed their tour to Pakistan which is expected to start in Karachi from January 19.

The board official said the confirmation by Sri Lanka was a big boost for Pakistan cricket at a time when it was completely short of international matches. Pakistan players also heaved a sigh of relief after being told to finally start preparing for a Test series against Sri Lanka.

Pakistan have not played a Test since December last year, when they took on India.

Pacer Umar Gul said he was relieved to know that finally the national team would get a chance to play against an international team.

"Not playing a Test for nearly a year has been frustrating for us and we know that the Sri Lankans will provide us with tough competition. It will be a good series," Gul said.

The pacer said he was very disappointed that India were not coming.

"A series against India is always special and people of both countries also enjoy the matches. So obviously nothing can replace a series with India but atleast with Sri Lanka coming, Pakistan will resume playing Test matches," he said.

[speedboy]

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