The Pakistan government has given the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) a green signal to play a series against arc-rivals India in Sri Lanka next month.
“PCB has received a decision by the government of Pakistan, accepting the resumption of Pak-India cricket series in December 2015 - January 2016 with matches in Sri Lanka,” said a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) statement on Friday.
The decision came after a meeting between the heads of the PCB and BCCI on Sunday in Dubai, where both the countries agreed to play a short limited over series in Sri Lanka.
“Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has okayed the plans to play a limited over series in Sri Lanka next month,” a PCB official said.
He said while the PM gave the approval on Thursday, the PCB was awaiting an official confirmation. The details of the proposed series will be announced once the BCCI gets approval from New Delhi, the PCB added.
A source in the board said the PCB had already sent a tentative itinerary to the BCCI for approval and the three ODIs and two T20 matches were scheduled in Colombo and Kandy between December 17 to January 4.
“The BCCI wants the series planned in a way that the Indian team flies straight from Sri Lanka to Australia for their series there,” he said.
{{/usCountry}}“The BCCI wants the series planned in a way that the Indian team flies straight from Sri Lanka to Australia for their series there,” he said.
{{/usCountry}}The two boards have agreed to play in Sri Lanka after India ruled out the option of playing in the UAE.
Pakistan wanted to play a full series, including Test matches, in the UAE since it has been hosting its ‘home’ series in Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi since 2010.
Last year, PCB and BCCI signed a memorandum of understanding agreeing to play six series between 2015-2023, subject to clearance from their respective governments.