Lahore, Apr 24 : The PCB has said that the BCCI's Indian Premier League (IPL) will not affect the Pakistan team's planned home series against Australia to be held in 2009-10.

There are fears that the scheduled dates of Australia's tour next year would clash with the IPL which would make it difficult for the players to decide where they want to participate.

But Naghmi argued that the IPL schedule for 2009 was still to come out.

"But in any case, international commitment takes precedence over any domestic tournament. Even if it clashes with IPL, the Pakistan-Australia series will still go on. The players' first choice will be the Pakistan-Australia series and that's the main difference between the Indian Cricket League and IPL," The Nation quoted Naghmi PCB Chief Operating Officer Shafqat Haghmi as saying.

Naghmi also refuted suggestions that the Australians postponed their tour to Pakistan last month because their players were more interested in playing in the IPL.

"No I don't think this angle is true. The truth is discussions between the two Boards had been going on for quite a while and the Australians were keen to complete the series in one go. But it didn't happen. Even now both the boards wanted to have the series in one go but the commitments of both teams didn't make this possible. So we have split the tour after considering all other options," Naghmi said.

ANI