Zaka Ashraf, the PCB chairman, has hinted at asking India to host a limited-overs series between Pakistan and Australia later this year. Pakistan are seeking a venue for the series after Sri Lanka's refusal to stage it.

Fast-rising opener Nasir Jamshed was Wednesday ruled out of Pakistan's tour of Sri Lanka after fracturing a finger on his left hand.

In a bid to revive international cricket at home, Pakistan has decided to establish new stadiums in the most secured areas of the country like Islamabad, Chinese news agency Xinhua reported.

The PCB has taken charge of the Quaid-e-Azam stadium in Mirpur and has identified it as a potential venue for international cricket.

Deprived of hosting international matches since a deadly attack on the Sri Lankan team bus three years ago, Pakistan hopes a high-profile new Twenty20 league can lure back overseas players.

Former Pakistan leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed's name has cropped up as one of the leading candidates to be the bowling coach of the national team before the tour to Sri Lanka.

Pakistan coach Dav Whatmore has backed the return of former captain Shoaib Malik to the national side for limited overs cricket and also feels he will be the best candidate to lead the team in T20 cricket.

Pakistan's cricket board on Sunday expressed disappointment with Bangladesh for considering appealing an incident in the last over of the Asia Cup final which they believe cost them the match.

Pakistan's flamboyant all-rounder Shahid Afridi has pulled out of the National Super Eight T20 championship which begins in Rawalpindi on Sunday even as all the top cricketers of the country are taking part in the week-long event.

PCB Chairman Zaka Ashraf on Saturday suggested disgraced fast bowler Mohammed Amir to challenge the "harsh" five-year ban imposed on him by the ICC for his role in spot-fixing.