Pending a few formalities and a public statement of assent by the Board for Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Indian government, the teams are set to play three One-Day Internationals (ODI) and two T20s in mid-December. “India-Pakistan series will happen tentatively from Dec 15 in Sri Lanka”.
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In Pakistan, the government has approved a Pak-India series, but the official statement has not yet been communicated to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is yet to decide on giving clearance to the BCCI to play a bilateral series with Pakistan in Sri Lanka.
The latest to add to the uncertainty is Indian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup, who tweeted last night that “no decision” has been taken by the Indian government on the upcoming series. India had refused to play in the United Arab Emirates, Pakistan’s home away from home, and Pakistan rejected the prospect of playing the series in India.
On Thursday sources stated that if the series is going to be held in a third country, the first assessment and clearance have to be given by the Ministry of External Affairs. He said both Boards have agreed for Sri Lanka as a venue.
Relations between India and Pakistan were discontinued following the 2008 terror attacks in Mumbai. India’s current series with South Africa will not finish until December 7, with their tour of Australia beginning just over a month later, on January 12.
Earlier, Pakistan Super League head Najam Sethi indicated his interest in roping Indian players in the T20 league scheduled to commence from February 4 in Dubai and Sharjah.
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“Around five matches will mark the resumption of cricketing ties between India and Pakistan in Sri Lanka”, he had said.
