India, Pakistan 'most likely' to play in Sri Lanka between December 20 and January 3
Mumbai: Sri Lanka is "most likely" to be the neutral venue for the forthcoming bilateral series between Pakistan and India, it is learnt here and an official announcement may be made on November 27. No body in Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) was willing to go on record as they wanted this announcement to be made either by the Indian cricket board or jointly with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). However, BCCI chief Shashank Manohar is believed to have hinted the possibilities of playing three ODIs' and two Twenty20 matches in the Island nation.
"Since PCB will need the permission of Nawaz Sharif before going official, Shaharyar Khan will need to go back to Islamabad and seek the Prime Minister's permission. Once he gets the green light from the PM, he will again come back to Dubai and intimate his decision to Clarke. Clarke is likely to officially announce the series on November 27," the source said.
While BCCI made it clear that they will not play in the United Arab Emirates and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) refusing to play in India, the only feasible option left was the Island nation, which will act as the neutral venue.
The tours by both India and Pakistan teams will commence on December 20 and will end on January 3, it is learnt here. Currently, most of the matches are thought to be played in Colombo, but Kandy is not ruled out as a likely venue either.
Read: PCB, BCCI meet; decision on Indo-Pak series today
The PCB's home series will end on January 3, which is also scheduled to be the election day in SLC. "We will be more than happy to host high profile matches between India and Pakistan," Sidath Wettimuny, chief of SLC Board said on Monday morning.
The two groups headed by Nishantha Ranatunga and Thilanga Sumathipala are likely to contest the elections. Ranatunga's brother and Sri Lanka's only World Cup winning captain Arjuna Ranatunga are preparing to be the Chief Selector or Vice-President from Nishantha's group. Heerantha Perrera and Mohan D'Silva from respective groups are contesting for the post of secretary, it is learnt.
The two stadiums earmarked for the series are Khettarama (R Premadasa Stadium) and Pallekele (Kandy). While the receding monsoon has hit the Island nation badly, the weather forecast for the last part of December looks good.
While some T20 matches are scheduled at the Khettarama, the SLC will reschedule them at the first notice, once the official announcement is made.
This will be the first time that a Test playing nation has rejected playing a series in the UAE since it became Pakistan's adopted home after the 2009 Lahore attacks.
Also Read: India, Pakistan deadlock continues on cricket series
It is also well known that Manohar is reluctant to play matches in the UAE as the venue is not safe. In 2014, when the IPL was shifted to UAE, the BCCI President had opposed the move. According to sources, Manohar feels that UAE's reputation as a cricket-hosting venue took a serious hit over allegations of betting and match-fixing.
—with PTI inputs
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