Team for Abu Dhabi to be picked in Goa

The Indian squad for the two one-day internationals against Pakistan at Abu Dhabi next month as well as for the last four ODIs against England in the ongoing series would be picked in Goa, venue of the third ODI, on April 3.

"The team for Abu Dhabi and the last four ODIs against England would be chosen in Goa on April 3," Niranjan Shah, the board secretary, said today. "The team would depart on April 16 for Abu Dhabi," he added.

The last four ODIs against England are scheduled at Kochi (April 6), Guwahati (April 9), Jamshedpur (April 12) and Indore (April 15). The ODIs at Abu Dhabi are to be held on April 18 and 19. Shah also confirmed that the Indian and Pakistan boards had agreed to pay fees to the Abu Dhabi Sports Council for using the Zayed Stadium.

"We will be paying the fees for using the stadium. The amount has not been fixed. But what's wrong in it? They are hosting the matches," he said. Abu Dhabi would also host an Euro-Asia A tournament from April 22 to May 5 featuring the A teams of India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Holland, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Ireland. "India, Pakistan and Holland have been pooled in group A while Sri Lanka, UAE and Ireland are in group B", Shah said.