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Final decision on Indo-Pak series in a few days: Shaharyar Khan
November 24 2015
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Shaharyar Khan met�BCCI president Shashank Manohar in Dubai earlier this week.
Shaharyar Khan, Pakistan's cricket chief, said on Tuesday (November 24) that he had sought his governemnt's permission for a bilateral series with India on an unspecified agreed neutral venue. Sri Lanka is the likeliest venue to host a shortened bilateral series between the arch-rivals after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) refused a request from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to play in United Arab Emirates, Pakistan's adopted home, because of security fears at home.
The move came after PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan met BCCI president Shashank Manohar in Dubai on Sunday (November 22).
"We have sent the report to prime minister Nawaz Sharif and have sought permission to play India on a neutral venue," Khan told AFP, without confirming Sri Lanka as the venue of the series. "After the Dubai meeting both BCCI and PCB have said that the final decision rests with the respective governments, so in the next three to four days we expect a final decision," Shaharyar said.
With time running out, as India have to travel to Australia for a limited over series starting from January 12 and Pakistan visiting New Zealand in the same period, the full series of two Tests, five one-day and two Twenty20 is likely to be reduced. It is speculated that both countries will now agree to play three one-day and two Twenty20 internationals.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) interim committee head Sidath Wettimuny confirmed that Pakistan had contacted him to arrange the matches. "I received a call from the PCB asking about the possibilities of hosting the series. We are now looking at it very seriously," Wettimuny told The Island newspaper in Colombo.
"Nothing is confirmed as yet as we have to get back to them on schedules and availability, but we are very excited by the request. I think...