MUMBAI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is most likely to finalise its venue for the forthcoming matches against Australia on Tuesday, chairman Zaka Ashraf said.

Speaking from Lahore on Monday, he said: “We have discussed the matter with Intikhab Alam and both countries, Malaysia and the UAE have 50-50 chances to host the matches.”

“We are considering the cost factor and the detailed report has been submitted to the finance department for evaluation,” he added.

“Malaysia is cheaper than the UAE,” Intikhab, who was also impressed with the facilities in Kuala Lumpur, said.

If cost factor is the main criteria, Malaysia may be chosen. Only the broadcasting factor may come in its way in that case, it is learnt here. Intikhab didn’t visit any of the three venues in the UAE as all the three venues — Sharjah, Dubai and Abu Dhabi — had been seen by him in the past.

He had, however, visited the ICC headquarters and met ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat, cricket operations general manager Dave Richardson, and Zahid Noorani, the Ten Sports official.

It is not clear whether the PCB would announce the venue on Tuesday before being approved by Cricket Australia.