Is India's tour of South Africa in doubt?
Reports suggest that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) may propose a tri-series at home involving Sri Lanka and Pakistan to be held in December this year, in place of a tour to South Africa.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India is looking for an alternative to the tour of South Africa in November-December which has already entered troubled waters. Media reports are suggesting that India may host a tri-series involving Sri Lanka and Pakistan in December this year. The matter is expected to come up for discussion in Chennai on Saturday during the Asian Cricket Council meeting, when the officials of the three Boards meet. (Read: Pakistan hope for tri-series)
According to sources inside the Pakistan Cricket Board, Chief Operating Officer Subhan Ahmad will not only attend a meeting of the ACC but also hold discussions with BCCI officials. Reports also stated that Sri Lanka Cricket secretary Nishantha Ranatunga is expected to represent his board at the ACC meeting. The Asian Cricket Council is headed by current BCCI president-in-exile N Srinivasan.
If and when a tri-series takes place, it will replace the limited-overs leg of the Pakistan versus Sri Lanka bilateral series in UAE. Also, it would mean a shortened or possibly a cancelled India's tour of South Africa.
Sri Lanka's series against Pakistan involves two Twenty20 internationals, five ODIs and three Tests in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The limited-overs leg will end on December 27.
India is scheduled to host a short series against West Indies in November and a tour of New Zealand that begins on January 19. That leaves Cricket South Africa no other option than to host India for two Tests, three ODIs and a Twenty20 international from December and ending with the New Year's Test. However, should a tri-series be played, it would take up the same space being used for the South Africa tour. (Read: CSA to lose 2.5 million Rand a day from shortened India tour)
Cricket South Africa announced the schedule for India's tour to South Africa on July 8, but problems cropped up and the schedule is not yet endorsed by the BCCI.
Officials between the two cricket Boards will meet in Dubai on September 16 and 17 to discuss the itinerary. The BCCI had rejected the itinerary announced by South Africa in July, which had India touring for three Tests, seven ODIs and two T20s between November and January. The tour's schedule remains in limbo now. (Read more)
While no official statement made, the main issue seems to be the appointment of Haroon Lorgat as the chief executive of Cricket South Africa inspite of the number of times Lorgat has clashed with the BCCI when he was ICC chief.