ID :
38799
Mon, 01/05/2009 - 09:11
Auther :
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http://m.oananews.org//node/38799
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Lankans to split Pak tour to accommodate series against India
Colombo/Karachi, Jan 4 (PTI) Sri Lanka will split its tour of Pakistan to accommodate a hastily-scheduled one-day series against India next month, Sri Lankan Sports Minister Gamini Lokuge said.
"I have told Duleep Mendis (Sri Lanka Cricket CEO) to
look at the option of touring Pakistan first for five ODIs and
a Twenty20 match. The team will then return to Colombo to play
a five-match ODI series with India. We will then return to
Pakistan for three Tests," Lokuge said without giving a
detailed itinerary.
Sources in the Pakistan Cricket Board also confirmed that
talks were on between PCB and Lankan Board to work out such an
arrangement.
"Obviously both the Pakistan and Sri Lankan boards want
to make money out of their series and it is understandable the
Lankans are keen to not lose the opportunity of playing
against India," a PCB source told PTI.
The present scenario is a result of India cancelling a
scheduled Test tour of Pakistan from January 4 to February 21
to play three Tests, five one-dayers and a Twenty20 game
besides a side match.
"But the Indians' cancellation of their Pakistan tour has
left all three South Asian countries with a window to play in
January and February," the source said.
Even the PCB is not averse to a split tour but they need
to convince Bangladesh to delay the one-day series between the
two countries scheduled from March 3 to second week of the
month.
"If Sri Lanka comes for the Test series around February
20, they would require at least 21 days to play three Test
matches after which Pakistan can go to Bangladesh for the
one-day series," the PCB source said.
The BCCI has incurred a loss of Rs 120 crore because of
cancellation of two ODIs against England and the tour to
Pakistan in the wake of the terror attacks in Mumbai and is
keen to recover some of the losses.
"We are discussing the possibility of playing a short
series against Sri Lanka. We are working on an itinerary which
will be acceptable to both the Boards", a top BCCI official
said.
"So far we have got a good response from Sri Lankan
officials and we are hopeful that the series will
materialise", he said. PTI Cor
DEP
"I have told Duleep Mendis (Sri Lanka Cricket CEO) to
look at the option of touring Pakistan first for five ODIs and
a Twenty20 match. The team will then return to Colombo to play
a five-match ODI series with India. We will then return to
Pakistan for three Tests," Lokuge said without giving a
detailed itinerary.
Sources in the Pakistan Cricket Board also confirmed that
talks were on between PCB and Lankan Board to work out such an
arrangement.
"Obviously both the Pakistan and Sri Lankan boards want
to make money out of their series and it is understandable the
Lankans are keen to not lose the opportunity of playing
against India," a PCB source told PTI.
The present scenario is a result of India cancelling a
scheduled Test tour of Pakistan from January 4 to February 21
to play three Tests, five one-dayers and a Twenty20 game
besides a side match.
"But the Indians' cancellation of their Pakistan tour has
left all three South Asian countries with a window to play in
January and February," the source said.
Even the PCB is not averse to a split tour but they need
to convince Bangladesh to delay the one-day series between the
two countries scheduled from March 3 to second week of the
month.
"If Sri Lanka comes for the Test series around February
20, they would require at least 21 days to play three Test
matches after which Pakistan can go to Bangladesh for the
one-day series," the PCB source said.
The BCCI has incurred a loss of Rs 120 crore because of
cancellation of two ODIs against England and the tour to
Pakistan in the wake of the terror attacks in Mumbai and is
keen to recover some of the losses.
"We are discussing the possibility of playing a short
series against Sri Lanka. We are working on an itinerary which
will be acceptable to both the Boards", a top BCCI official
said.
"So far we have got a good response from Sri Lankan
officials and we are hopeful that the series will
materialise", he said. PTI Cor
DEP
