Sri Lanka confirm to tour Pakistan (20 April 1999)

20 April 1999

Sri Lanka confirm to tour Pakistan

Our Sports Reporter

KARACHI, April 19: Sri Lanka saved Pakistan from the embarrassment of having no international cricket at home in the coming season when they agreed to undertake the tour in 2000.

Pakistan were in danger of hosting no team after the West Indies cancelled a scheduled tour during September and October.

But the PCB Chief Executive, Majid Khan, said on Monday that Sri Lanka have accepted the invitation and would tour Pakistan in February and March 2000.

The former captain said to accommodate Sri Lanka, Pakistan's tour of the West Indies would start from the first week of April. The tour was earlier scheduled between March and April.

"Sri Lanka have confirmed that they would come for three Tests and an equal number of One-day Internationals. The West Indies have also accepted our request to start the series in April," Khan said from Lahore.

However, the PCB chief executive said the number of matches in the West Indies have to be finalized. "I know three Tests will be played but I don't know how many one-day matches would be contested."

Pakistan are also scheduled to play in a triangular one-day series in the Caribbean which also involves New Zealand.

When Pakistan toured the West Indies in 1993, five one-dayers were followed up by three Tests. The one-day series had ended in a 2-all draw while the home team won the Test series 2-0.

Majid Khan said before the Pakistan team leaves for Australia in early November, the only assignment of the team would be the Sahara Cup in Toronto. "In between these tours (Canada and Australia), the players would play in domestic competitions."

The PCB chief executive refused to comment on South African cricket board's decision to refuse permission to Richards Pybus to join the Pakistan team in England. "Pybus was appointed by Khalid Mahmood so you better ask him," he replied.

Asked to comment on reports that he has been given a two-month extension, Majid Khan said: "In the first place, I haven't received anything which says I have got an extension. And secondly, why should I be offered only a two-month extension?"

Inquired if he would accept the extension, he said he wasn't sure. He added that he would cross the bridge when it comes.

Majid Khan's three-year term ends on May 23.

Source :: Dawn (https://dawn.com/)