Karachi, Feb 13 : Pakistan cricket received a further blow on Friday with the cancellation of a tri-series in Dubai scheduled for late March due to the unavailability of Sri Lankan team.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chief Operating Officer Salim Altaf said that the event would be scrapped.

"We have been told by organisers that the tri-series has been cancelled because, I believe, the Sri Lankan team is unavailable," said Altaf.

The third team was to be Bangladesh, the Dawn reported.

Altaf said he did not know why Sri Lanka could not participate.

The event was part of a nine million dollar deal with Dubai Sports City last year, which was to provide Pakistan with cricket at neutral venue after foreign teams refused to tour the country over security fears. (ANI)