Sri Lanka plans to host India after splitting Pak tour

From ANI

Lahore, Jan 5: Sri Lanka is planning to host at home five-ODI series against India after splitting their proposed tour of Pakistan.

Under the plan, Sri Lanka will visit Pakistan for the limited-overs leg of their tour later this month, return home for India's visit and head back to Pakistan to play three Tests.

"I have told Sri Lanka Cricket chief executive Duleep Mendis to look at the option of touring Pakistan first for five ODIs and a Twenty20 match," Gamini Lokuge, the Sri Lanka Sports Minister, said.

"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," The News quoted Lokuge, as saying.

Lokuge did not, however, provide a detailed itinerary.

The Sports Minister had already confirmed talks with the BCCI and said the schedule was being finalised. India had toured Sri Lanka last year for three Tests and five ODIs.

Sri Lanka had stepped in to tour Pakistan following India's cancellation of their visit from January 4 to February 21.

However, after agreeing to tour for three Tests and five ODIs, Sri Lanka Cricket sought a shortened tour of two Tests, three ODIs and a Twenty20 game from February 15.

The revised dates were believed to be on the suggestion of Sri Lanka's players, who wanted a break after their Bangladesh tour.

Although the PCB are expected to agree to the new arrangement, they may have to push back their tour of Bangladesh for ODIs, scheduled to start on March 3, by a week.

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