The Pakistan Cricket Board is still awaiting confirmation of India's tour next month, but has denied reports a replacement series against Sri Lanka is already being planned. “We are still waiting for the response from the Board of Control for Cricket in India,” PCB chief operating officer Salim Altaf said Tuesday. The BCCI has sought clearance from its government for the Jan. 8-Feb. 19 tour of Pakistan, encompassing three Tests, five limited-over internationals and a Twenty20 match. The status of the tour was put in jeopardy after Pakistan-India relations became increasingly tense in the wake of last month's terror attacks in Mumbai. Indian authorities say the terrorists all originated from Pakistan. Altaf denied media reports that the PCB is considering hosting a series against Sri Lanka if the Indian series falls through. “There is no such development, we have not yet asked Sri Lanka to tour Pakistan and it's all rumors,” Altaf said. “The thing is that for us the Indian team is coming to Pakistan as per schedule.” Altaf said that there is an executive committee meeting of the Asian Cricket Council in Kuala Lumpur later this month and “maybe some options would be discussed.” “But it all depends on what's the final response of the BCCI on the tour of Pakistan,” he said. The International Cricket Council said last week it would encourage India to stick to its scheduled series in Pakistan, but also acknowledged it could not force the tour to go ahead. “We would try and encourage India to tour Pakistan, ensuring the right security measures are in place,” ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat said. “But if the government decides not to allow the tour to go ahead, then we've got to respect that decision. There's nothing the ICC can do on it. We cannot force member countries to tour Pakistan.” Akhtar suggests T20 League in Pakistan Fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has suggested organizing a professional Twenty20 league in Pakistan along the lines of the Indian Premier League (IPL) to attract foreign players and pave the way for the return of international cricket to the country. “I know there are many wealthy people in Pakistan who could organize such an event and it will help attract foreign players toward Pakistan,” Akhtar said. “If a Pakistan Premier League meets success I am sure international cricket will return to Pakistan.” The paceman is currently playing in a domestic limited-over tournament in Karachi as his appeal against an 18-month ban and fine of 7 million rupees ($86,515) for criticizing the Pakistan Cricket Board is pending in a Lahore High Court.
