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Pakistan's preparations for next year's World Cup received another blow with the news that the Cricketers Benefit Fund Series (CBFS) have refused to reschedule April's Sharjah Cup.

"The CBFS has expressed its inability to reschedule Sharjah Cup in March which has effectively ended all hopes of inviting New Zealand to reschedule their cancelled tour in April," chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Lt Gen Tauqir Zia said Thursday.

Tauqir said he understood CBFS position as besides Pakistan, New Zealand, South Africa and Sri Lanka are participating in the tournament which will run between April 9 to 19.

Tauqir, his establishment and the players face a grim situation which could leave them with almost no cricket at home until the home series in September. That series can also run into trouble if the border situation doesn't improve.

Besides the financial loss, which can exceed upto $50million, no home international cricket will mean that the selectors will be left with limited options to evaluate the fitness and form of the players for next February's World Cup.

As situation stands at present, Pakistan's World Cup preparations are dependent mostly on cricket on foreign soil. This year, Pakistan has to twice appear in Sharjah, play in the ICC Knock-Out tournament before embarking on the African safari.

Pakistan has played just one Test and five one-day internationals since July.

Tauqir said the West Indies were pressing for the series to be shifted to a neutral venue. But he added that the proposal could mean no substantial financial gain for the PCB.

"With whatever home work we have done, a three-Test series in Sharjah and three-match one-day series in Dhaka will result in no profit as shifting of television equipment will take away bulk of the earnings. "However, we have been working on another proposal of two Tests and five one-day internationals in Sharjah. That would attract the spectators, the sponsors and most importantly no shifting of television equipments," he said.

The PCB boss emphasised that the situation in Pakistan was calm, peaceful and conducive to international cricket.

Tauqir admitted that Pakistan has agreed to play three one-day internationals against Australia in Melbourne's Colonial Stadium. But he said the agreement was on reciprocal basis.

"Pakistan has accepted the offer on the condition that Australia will play as many one-day internationals on reciprocal basis. And those match will have nothing to do with Australia's scheduled tour this year," he said.

The General said during his last week's discussions with CBFS vice- president Abdur Rehman Bukhatir, he had raised the issue of players' compensation.

"We have been advised to play one-dayers in Sharjah in July-August and all the earnings can be distributed amongst the players. Now this offer has to be discussed with the players before we give thumbs up," he said.

© Dawn