PCB, BCCI get green signal from govts for cricket series in Sri Lanka
The series will be started from December 15 to January 3 in Sri Lanka.
ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) - It‘s confirmed - the much-anticipated cricket series between Pakistan and India will be played in Sri Lanka from 15th of next month after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) obtained green signal from their respective governments.
The confirmation from Indian side was reported by NDTV.
READ ALSO: PM allows PCB to play cricket with India in Sri Lanka
Earlier today, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif responded to the letter sent to him by the PCB Chairman Shaharyar Khan and said that Pakistan should play India in Sri Lanka for a short series.
As per agreement, India and Pakistan will play three one-dayers and two Twenty20 internationals in the next month. Earlier, two Tests, five one-dayers and two Twenty20 internationals were scheduled between the two arch-rivals from December 15 to January 3.
Pakistan have been playing their home series in the United Arab Emirates because of security fears at home, but India was unwilling to send its team to the UAE.
Later, Sri Lanka emerged as a likely solution after crisis talks at the weekend between PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan and Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) counterpart Shashank Manohar in Dubai failed to end the stalemate.
The meeting was organized by Giles Clarke, who heads the ICC Pakistan task force. Clarke has always been in favour of a series between the sub-continental giants.
Both cricket boards had signed a memorandum of understanding last year to play at least six series from 2015 to 2023, with Pakistan hosting the first one in December. But all series were subject to clearance from their respective governments.
The BCCI was willing to talk about compensating the PCB in case it agreed to play the series in India, but Pakistan rejected the proposal, saying India should honor its commitment.
Pakistan also said India had not made any request about sharing revenue.
India and Pakistan have not played a full series since 2007. New Delhi halted all cricket matches with Pakistan following the 2008 attacks in Mumbai, although they did play a limited-overs series in 2012.
