Sri Lanka Cricket Interim Committee Secretary Nishatha Ranatunga said that the country is anxiously waiting to host the Pakistan-England series next year.
Pakistan, deprived of international cricket in the country since an attack on the Sri Lankan team in March 2009, have played their ‘home’ series in UAE, England with Sri Lanka set to become the new hosts. England will play a series of three Tests and five One-Day Internationals against Pakistan in January next year with Sri Lanka likely to be the venue.
Ranatunga, in an interview, said that England and Pakistan had contacted the Sri Lankan board for the series which was met with a positive response.
“The proposed series will benefit us since our board is in a financial crisis these days,” said Ranatunga. “English fans travel with their team and it will be good for Sri Lanka’s tourism industry as well.”
The official expressed hope that the series against Pakistan during October this year will also be played in his country. UAE are also in the race for hosting Pakistan.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board Chief Operating Officer Subhan Ahmed said that no final decision has been taken so far and while the UAE is an option, the final choice will be made keeping the cost in mind.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 11th, 2011.
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