Bangladesh, Sri Lanka Reportedly Looked Up as Backup Venues for India-Pakistan Series

The Board of Control for Cricket in India is thinking about neutral venue options like Bangladesh and Sri Lanka for the potential series against Pakistan in December. (Nothing Has been Finalised on India-Pakistan Series: Shashank Manohar)

The BCCI have been unwilling to play in the UAE, which has served as Pakistan's second home and according to sources, officials have been discussing these two options in recent meetings. A source told the Times of India  that the option of playing the series is definitely on the BCCI's mind should the series get the green signal. (India-Pakistan Series Not Ruled Out Entirely)

However, the chances of the tour happening look remote as BCCI president Shashank Manohar and Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Shahryar Khan failed to meet each other to discuss the series. One source stated, "The meeting did not take place because there was simply no intent." (Pakistan Won't Go to India in December: PCB)

It is well known that Manohar is reluctant to play matches in the UAE as there is a view that the venue is not safe. Even when the IPL was shifted to UAE in 2014 for the first half, Manohar had vehemently opposed the move. According to one official in the BCCI, Manohar feels that UAE's reputation as a cricket-hosting venue took a serious betting years ago over allegations of betting and match-fixing.

This recent development has put further doubt on whether the India-Pakistan series will take place. IPL Chairman Rajeev Shukla recently said that Pakistan must create Lahore as a safe venue and stop playing their games in the UAE. Pakistan have firmly reiterated that they will not play a home series in India. BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur has urged the fans to wait for a few more days over the decision whether the series will take place.