Pakistan to host ODIs, T20s vs Sri Lanka; tests rescheduled
Pakistan has not hosted a test match since Sri Lanka's team bus was attacked by terrorists in 2009.
ISLAMABAD (AP) — The two-test series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka has been rescheduled for December, although Karachi and Lahore will host one-day internationals and Twenty20 matches between the countries in September and October.
Pakistan was due to host Sri Lanka for two-test matches in October but the decision to swap the split series was taken on Friday after discussions between the heads of the two cricket boards.
A security delegation from Sri Lanka Cricket visited Karachi and Lahore earlier this month — the two venues chosen by the PCB for the test matches.
"The tour for limited overs matches will provide Sri Lanka with an even better understanding of the ground situation before discussing schedule of the tests," PCB chairman Ehsan Mani said in a statement.
Pakistan has not hosted a test match since Sri Lanka s team bus was attacked by terrorists in 2009. Eight people were killed during the ambush and several Sri Lankan players were also injured.
Since then PCB had been trying to convince foreign teams to resume playing international cricket in Pakistan. It has hosted Zimbabwe, a World XI, the West Indies and Sri Lanka for limited-overs matches and also organized a number of Pakistan Super League matches over the last three years.
"We are very grateful to Sri Lanka Cricket President Shammi Silva, his board and players for responding positively to our request to play matches in Pakistan," Mani said.
Silva said that the security team had given a positive report about security arrangements in Karachi and Lahore which "made our job of decision-making easy."
"The safety and security of its players is the responsibility of the SLC, which it takes very seriously," he said. "If there had been any doubts, the SLC would not have gone ahead with this arrangement that we envisage will improve the players confidence and trust level and will also be critical when we start discussions on the schedule of the test matches."
Sri Lanka will arrive in Karachi on Sept. 25 where it will play three ODIs on Sept. 27, 29 and Oct. 2. Lahore will host the three Twenty20s on Oct. 5, 7 and 9.
