Sri Lanka finalised as venue for India vs Pakistan series

Sri Lanka has emerged as the likely venue for the much-awaited series between India and Pakistan next month with an official announcement expected on November 27, according to reports.

After the Indian board (BCCI) insisted that they will not play in the UAE and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) refused to play in India, the island nation was the only feasible option left as a neutral venue.

The proceedings had been fast-tracked once BCCI president and current ICC chairman Shashank Manohar met PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan and senior official Najam Sethi in presence of ECB supremo and chairman of 'Pakistan Task Force' Giles Clarke in Dubai.

Without duvulging any details, both Sethi and Khan had said on Sunday that the meeting with Manohar was “fruitful” giving an indication that the deadlock on the marquee series was broken.

Sri Lanka Cricket's (SLC) interim committee met yesterday (Monday) and gave the greenlight for Pakistan to play India in a series of three one-day internationals and two Twenty20 internationals in December, the Daily News reported.

"The request came from the Pakistan Cricket Board who are the hosts to interim committee chairman Sidath Wettimuny," said SLC vice-president Kushil Gunasekera was quoted as saying.

"The interim committee met today and was happy to accommodate such a series and gave its approval for it to take place in Sri Lanka. It needs to be ratified by the Minister of Sports," he added.

The matches are to be played at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo and at the Pallekele International Stadium in Kandy.

Sri Lanka had previously played host to Pakistan in a Test match against Australia which was played at the P Sara Oval in October 2002.

Pakistan and India have not played a bilateral series since 2007.