Pakistan-India series likely to be played in Sri Lanka: report

Three ODIs and two T20s will reportedly be played between December 20 and January 3

The bilateral series between Pakistan and India may take place in Sri Lanka, according to reports following a meeting between heads of cricket boards of the two countries.

However, there has been no official confirmation of Sri Lanka being selected as the venue for the series.

On Sunday, Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Shahryar Khan, ICC chairman Shashank Manohar and England and Wales Cricket Board president Giles Clarke met to discuss the future of the series.

The series is reportedly going to take place between December 20 and January 3, which will consist of three ODIs and two T20s.

Clarke mediated between the PCB and BCCI in the meeting to solve the long standing issue between the two boards over the proposed bilateral series.

The proposed venue is expected to be Colombo, while Kandy is possibly another venue for the series.



"We will be more than happy to host high profile matches between India and Pakistan," said Wettimuny.

Earlier, the PCB chairman said on Sunday that the meeting with Manohar had been 'fruitful'.

“We had a fruitful meeting in which Sethi was there, Clarke was there as facilitator, it was a fruitful meeting and the decision is that Clarke will brief the media tomorrow,” Shahryar told media.

“We have also decided that there will be no further briefing. I am not in a position to say more than this.”

BCCI chief Shashank Manohar told The National newspaper that India have not received a reply from the PCB on a proposal to play the matches in India.



“We want to play in India. That is the thing,” Manohar said.

“Presently, we gave an option to Pakistan asking them whether they will come to India. Pakistan was to get back to me, they haven’t got back to me. So I don’t know what is the position.”

PCB chairman Shahryar Khan maintained his team will not travel to India and would play the series in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), as agreed under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed last year.

He said a final decision on the series will only be taken by the Pakistani government.

“The matter is now political,” the PCB chairman said on Friday. “Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has directed us that any decision will now be taken by the government and not by the PCB.”

Pakistan and India have not played a bilateral series since 2007.

India stalled cricketing ties in the aftermath of 2008 terrorist attacks on Mumbai, which were blamed on militants based in Pakistan.

Under the MoU both the boards had agreed to play six series between 2015-2023, with four series to be hosted by Pakistan.

But all series were subject to clearance from the respective governments.

The December-January series comprises two Tests, five one-day and two Twenty20 internationals but with time running out the series could be shortened to limited over matches.

The article originally appeared on deccanchronicle.com