India and Pakistan Agree to Play Bilateral Cricket Series in 'Neutral' Sri Lanka
Indian and Pakistan Cricket Board officials have agreed to play a short bilateral series in Sri Lanka. Earlier this month, India had refused to play in the UAE and Pakistan had rejected touring India for the December series.
After months of uncertainty, Board of Control for Cricket in India and Pakistan Cricket Board are set to play a short bilateral series in 'neutral' Sri Lanka. The arch-rivals will could three ODIs and two Twenty20 internationals from December 15.('Not Hosting India vs Pakistan for Financial Gain')
A formal confirmation of the series is expected later this week. The Pakistan Cricket Board has already obtained clearance from the Nawaz Sharif government, while Board of Control for Cricket in India is awaiting green signal from the Union government.(Cricket Should go on Between India and Pakistan, Insists Shahid Afridi)
Indian Premier League chairman Rajeev Shukla told reporters in New Delhi on Thursday that India and Pakistan have agreed to play a five-match series in Sri Lanka, complete details of which are yet to emerge.
Giles Clarke of England and Wales Cricket Board is understood to have played the role of a mediator. The Englishman is also the head of the International Cricket Council taskforce on Pakistan. Clarke has always been in favour of a series between the sub-continental giants.(Why Adamant Pakistan Cricket Board 'Agreed' to Play Defiant India in Sri Lanka)
Update on queries regarding Cricket Series: No decision has been taken on the India-Pakistan cricket series
- Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) November 26, 2015
Pakistan and India have not played a bilateral series since 2007. Cricketing ties were stalled in the aftermath of 2008 terrorists' attacks in Mumbai.(Indian Cricket Stars to Play in Pakistan Super League?)
© NDTV
Adamant Pakistan vs Defiant India
In recent weeks, India and Pakistan had differed over the venue of the series. While Pakistan were adamant that India should play at their adopted 'home', United Arab Emirates, BCCI said the series would only be possible if Pakistan visited India.(Akram Wants India vs Pakistan Matches)
According to the international calendar agreed by the two Boards, it is Pakistan's turn to play hosts. According to the ICC Future Tours Programme, the original scheduled involved two Tests, five ODIs and two Twenty20 internationals.
The two countries, bitter rivals on and off the cricket field, signed a memorandum of understanding in 2014 that Pakistan would host their next series after India had staged their previous two meetings (2007 and 2012).
In recent months, the India versus Pakistan series became increasingly uncertain due to political differences between the governments. PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan said last week in Abu Dhabi that the final decision to play India has been left to Pakistan's cricket-loving Prime Minister, Sharif.
After initial reluctance to play cricket due to a "climate of terror", India started showing positive signals after Shashank Manohar became BCCI president for the second time in October. The Nagpur-based lawyer, who is now ICC chairman, was always keen to honour the MOU despite opposition from certain sections of the Board.