India agree to play Tests first

After a delay in finalising the itinerary for India's tour of Pakistan later this year, both boards have finally agreed to start with the three Tests, followed by the five one-dayers.

The Indian board was apparently keen to begin with the one-dayers before moving on to the Tests, but Pakistan officials insisted on starting with the Tests.

Jagmohan Dalmiya, president of the Indian board, today informed the PCB in a letter that the Indian team will arrive in the first week of March and will stretch the tour until mid-April.

The PCB is now expected to announce a comprehensive tour itinerary in the next couple of days. Rameez Raja, Pakistan's chief executive, said in a statement: "We are glad that the BCCI has accepted our proposal that Tests should take preference over one-day internationals. PCB stance on scheduling Tests matches before the one-day internationals was based on cricketing grounds and weather conditions."

He added, "The BCCI was willing to send the team on March 1. But we have requested them to delay their arrival for a few more days because of Ashura [a religious holiday] that is expected to fall on March 2 and 3."