The New Nation - Internet Edition

BBC Online

Pakistan are unlikely to go ahead with their planned one-day series with Sri Lanka later this month because of a lack of sponsor interest.

The five-match limited-overs series was arranged to fill a scheduling gap after the Champions Trophy was postponed.

But a Pakistan Cricket Board spokesman said: "Efforts to organise matches with Sri Lanka encountered difficulties.

"The way things stand at the moment, it is highly unlikely that the series will be played."

A final decision on the series is expected to be made by the PCB this week.

The eight-team Champions Trophy was scheduled to take place in Pakistan from 12-28 September but the International Cricket Council postponed the tournament until October 2009 because of security concerns.

Pakistan, who have not played a Test match in 2008, attempted to organise a tour of South Africa instead but that fell through when the South Africa Cricket Board said its players were exhausted.