Pakistan 'ready to host' Sri Lanka

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Cricket365
May 22, 2014

Chairman Najam Sethi has confirmed the Pakistan Cricket Board's ambition to host Sri Lanka Cricket for an historic series later this year.

Sri Lanka president Mahinda Rajapaksa, earlier this week, insisted teams "must go to Pakistan and play there." The country has not hosted international cricket since 2008 due to the threat of terrorism.

"We are very much concerned about being isolated, without major international cricket in Pakistan. We have heard the positive statement by the president of Sri Lanka and we are writing them and offering them a home series in Pakistan," said Sethi.

"We are writing them that there is no security problem and you are welcome and we will provide you the maximum security with the help of the Punjab government.

"We are ready to host them and will chalk out a suitable window for them. Our top priority is to host an international team and we are making efforts to do that."

Pakistan, meanwhile, will tour Sri Lanka for two Tests and three ODIs in August. The Galle International Stadium will host the first Test between 6 and 10 August and the P Sara Oval in Colombo – the second from 14 to 18 August.

The three ODIs will be played at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium near Kandy, the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium in Hambantota and one of the three Colombo venues on 23, 27 and 30 August respectively.

Pakistan recently hired former Zimbabwe Test cricket Grant Flower as batting coach and recruited erstwhile spinner Mushtaq Ahmed as a bowling consultant. Ex-captain Waqar Younis has succeeded Australian Dav Whatmore as head coach.