PCB Rejects Bangladesh Proposal for Dec T20 Tri-Series
PCB Declines BCB Proposal Over Player Workload
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially rejected an invitation from the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to participate in a T20 tri-series in December featuring Sri Lanka as the third team. According to PCB officials, the decision was made primarily to manage the players’ workload ahead of a packed 2026 calendar. So let’s know Why PCB Rejects Bangladesh Proposal for Dec T20 Tri-Series?
Pakistan Prioritising Big Bash League Commitments
A PCB official revealed that several key Pakistan players — including Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Shadab Khan — have already received NOCs to participate in the Big Bash League (BBL) in Australia during December–January. Others, such as Fakhar Zaman, are committed to leagues like the Emirates International League.
Cricket Australia had requested full-season availability for Pakistani players, further limiting their participation in any international assignments during the same window.
No International Matches but Strategic Rest Planned
Despite Pakistan not having any international commitments in December and January, the PCB reaffirmed its decision to give players a break from national duties to avoid burnout. The board emphasised that 2026 will feature a demanding schedule with multiple World Test Championship series and the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
Key Players Unavailable for Tri-Series
The proposed tri-series would have seen Pakistan competing with Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, but senior players were unlikely to be available due to their league commitments. Without their main stars, the PCB saw little value in joining the series, especially ahead of a crucial year.
Speculation on Match Officials for the Event
Reports in recent days suggested that Reon King, former West Indies fast bowler and member of the ICC International Panel of Match Referees, was expected to officiate in the planned tri-series. No confirmation was given after PCB’s withdrawal.
Pakistan’s Current and Upcoming Commitments
Pakistan are currently engaged in an ODI series against Sri Lanka at home and will soon host Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe in a separate T20I tri-series starting on November 17. The opening matches will be played in Rawalpindi, while Lahore will host the remainder of the games, including the final.
Pakistan recently concluded an all-format series against South Africa, drawing the Test series 1–1 and winning both the ODI and T20I series 2–1. Shaheen Shah Afridi, in his first assignment as full-time ODI captain, secured a notable series win.
Match Officials Announced for Pakistan’s November Tri-Series
Below is the confirmed officials’ lineup for the Pakistan T20I Tri-Series beginning November 17:
Match Officials List
| Match | On-field Umpires | Third Umpire | Fourth Umpire |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Asif Yaqoob, Rashid Riaz | Faisal Afridi | Tariq Rasheed |
| 2 | Faisal Afridi, Rashid Riaz | Asif Yaqoob | Tariq Rasheed |
| 3 | Asif Yaqoob, Faisal Afridi | Rashid Riaz | Tariq Rasheed |
| 4 | Rashid Riaz, Faisal Afridi | Asif Yaqoob | Tariq Rasheed |
| 5 | Asif Yaqoob, Rashid Riaz | Ahsan Raza | Faisal Afridi |
| 6 | Ahsan Raza, Faisal Afridi | Rashid Riaz | Asif Yaqoob |
| Final | Ahsan Raza, Asif Yaqoob | Rashid Riaz | Faisal Afridi |
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