Indo-Pak series to be held between Dec 24-Jan 5: Sources

Karachi: The short bilateral cricket series between India and Pakistan will be held between December 24 and January 5 if the much-anticipated rubber gets the green signal from the Indian government this week.

According to a reliable source in the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the tentative dates discussed for the series is meant for a short series of three ODIs and two Twenty20 matches.

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"The series will be played probably in Sri Lanka in such a manner that both the teams leave for their tours to New Zealand and Australia straight from Colombo," the source said.

He said the Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) had indicated that it wanted to give its players a rest period of around 10 to 12 days before the series against Pakistan.

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While India has to travel to Australia around January 6 or 7, Pakistan is scheduled to leave for New Zealand for a limited-over series on January 7.

"Most probably both teams will go from Colombo directly to their destinations," the source said.

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He said Pakistan head coach Waqar Younis had also informed the PCB that if the series against Indian goes ahead then he would like to have a week-long camp in Sri Lanka before the matches.

He said there was also a possibility that the series could be reduced to two ODIs and two T20 matches since time is running out fast to complete logistical and organisational details by the PCB.

"The PCB also has to contend with the fact that it is rainy season in Colombo in December and they will have to select venues in consultation with the Sri Lanka Cricket carefully so that bad weather does not affect these matches," the source said.