Peshawar Zalmi owner offers sponsorship to Team Sri Lanka

Amidst the ongoing economic and political turmoil in Sri Lanka, Peshwar Zalmi's owner Javed Afridi has offered to sponsor their cricket team. Sri Lanka and Pakistan share close cricketing relations despite the terror attack on the former in Lahore on an ill-fated day in March 2009.

In his tweet, Zalmi's owner said, "The people of Sri Lanka love cricket as dearly as we Pakistanis do but the current not so good situation must've hurt Lankans cricket fans. So I extend my full support to sponsor @OfficialSLC in best of my capacities to maintain their international status in world cricket area."

Sri Lanka are currently involved in a Test against Bangladesh at Chattogram. The Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise owner has been vocal about his views on cricket and the resumption of India-Pakistan cricket.

The Peshawar-based club has won the PSL title once and been runners-up as many as three times.

Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) Director of Media, Sami Ul Hassan Burney, has asked for cooperation between the two boards going forward.

Speaking to Geosuper, he said, "We have a strong relationship with the Sri Lankan Board, and the two countries have always supported each other in difficult situations. SLC, viewing its circumstances, would take a decision which will be accepted, including playing on their grounds or neutral venue."

Pakistan are scheduled to tour Sri Lanka for a two-Test series in late July-August. PCB has already assured the Lankan cricket board that they will not cancel the visit unless the hosts say otherwise.

Apart from Pakistan, Australia are also slated to tour the Island nation in June-July. The Australian's itinerary will consist of two-Test, five-ODI and three-T2OI series. The series will be spread across three cities - Colombo, Kandy, and Galle.

Interestingly, Australia, who have not visited Sri Lanka since 2016, are confident that the visit will go ahead as planned.