ACB agrees to Pakistan neutral venue proposal

The Australian Cricket Board (ACB) today confirmed that it has accepted a proposal from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to play three Test matches in the neutral venues of Sri Lanka and Sharjah in October 2002.

The Test series, originally scheduled to take place in Pakistan, will begin in the Sri Lankan capital of Colombo on 3 October, with the remaining matches played in Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates on 11 and 19 October.

ACB Chief Executive Officer James Sutherland said the Board was comfortable with the PCB's proposal, having undertaken a pre-tour inspection of Sri Lanka prior to the International Cricket Council (ICC) Champions Trophy, and that the ICC, through its Anti-Corruption Unit, has approved Sharjah as a venue for international cricket.

"The ACB is satisfied with the arrangements proposed by the Pakistan Cricket Board," Mr Sutherland said.

"Logistically the tour works well, with a number of players involved in the ICC Champions Trophy able to remain in Sri Lanka for the first Test against Pakistan," he said.

Mr Sutherland added that, despite the relocation, it was pleasing the series could go ahead in October.

"After making the decision not to travel to Pakistan, the ACB was committed to having the series staged in October at a neutral venue," he said.

"In the best interests of international cricket and the ICC's future tours program it was very important that these matches went ahead as scheduled.

"As host of the series, the PCB should be credited for arranging these venues in such a short time frame."