Karachi, Jan 21 : To avoid cancellation of tours that dogged Pakistani cricket in 2008, the PCB's Chief Operating Officer, Saleem Altaf, has said the Board is only considering neutral venues.

Altaf said Pakistan lost the opportunity to host the ICC Champions Trophy last September mainly because of a rigid stance adopted by the previous PCB top brass.

London, Jan. 21: If former England fast bowler Derek Pringle is to be believed, current skipper Andrew Strauss has placed his trust in his players to decide how they will go forward on the issue of making themselves available for the Indian Premier League (IPL) in its second season.

Karachi, Jan 21 : The Pakistan Cricket Board has assured suspended fast bowler Mohammad Asif of a fair trial over his Dubai misadventure, but he will be dealt with according to strict PCB anti-doping regulations.

"The Board made it clear that Asif will be dealt according to strict PCB anti-doping regulations which he said are now compliant with the guidelines given by the World Anti-doping Agency (WADA)," a senior official said.

Lahore, Jan 21: The Pakistan Cricket Board will not be seeking any compensation from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for canceling their India's tour of Pakistan in wake of the Mumbai terror strikes.

The Nation quoted a senior PCB official as saying that since the BCCI only followed the policy decision of its government not to tour Pakistan in the wake of Mumbai attacks, there was nothing the PCB could do.

Melbourne, Jan 20 : The Australian Cricketers Association has claimed that the Cricket Australia's handling of Mathew Hayden's case was "inconsistent," and has advised players of Board leveling financial penalties if they are injured during the Indian Premier League.

Hayden had his pay cut by Cricket Australia in an apparent warning to star players that they compete in the Indian Premier League at their own risk.

Karachi, Jan. 20 : Sri Lanka will have an edge over Pakistan in the upcoming one-day series, captain Shoaib Malik believes.

Malik said Sri Lanka will have an advantage because they have played more international cricket than Pakistan.

"They have an advantage of playing more international cricket and have greater confidence levels than us," The News quoted Malik, as saying.