Pakistan to tour Sri Lanka for a full series in July

Karachi, May 12: After a gap of nearly 20 months, the Pakistan cricket team will finally be playing a proper and full Test series when they tour Sri Lanka in July.

The cricket boards from both the countries have finalised the itinerary for Pakistan`s tour of Sri Lanka from June 27 to August 12 which will include three Tests, five one-day internationals and a Twenty20 international.

According to sources in the board, Pakistan will leave for Sri Lanka on June 27 and start the tour with the first Test in Galle from July 4.

The second Test would be held from July 12 in Kandy followed by the final Test in Colombo from July 20.

The two teams will then engage in the one-day rubber with the first three matches scheduled in Dambulla on July 30, August 1 and 3 followed by two games in Colombo on 7 and 9.

The only Twenty20 match would also be held in the Sri Lankan capital on August 12, sources in the board said.

It will be the first bilateral series between the two countries since the Sri Lankan team was attacked by militants in Lahore on March 3 and returned home with six wounded players.

Pakistan last played a proper bilateral Test series in India in the winter of 2007 after which they have had to be content with playing one-dayers against Zimbabwe, Bangladesh, a tri-series in Bangladesh, the Asia Cup at home and a short series against Sri Lanka that was cut short after just three one-dayers and a Test.

Pakistan`s other Test series this year against New Zealand is also likely to be held in New Zealand as the Kiwis have refused to send their team to Pakistan in October-November due to security concerns.

The one-day series against New Zealand is likely to be held in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Bureau Report