Sri Lanka to meet Pakistan and New Zealand in Sharjah

Sri Lanka will meet Pakistan and New Zealand in the Sharjah Cup limited-overs tournament from 8-17 April.

With all three sides placed in the same group in next year's World Cup in South Africa, it will provide the three teams with an early chance to take a closer look at each other.

The three-nation tournament is a repeat of last April's tri-series, won by Sri Lanka. In that competition New Zealand fielded an inexperienced side, but their recent competitiveness in Australia promises to produce a keenly contested competition.

There had been speculation that the tri-series would be transformed into a quadrangular with the inclusion of South Africa. However, the organisers were forced to shelve the plan because of Australia's tour of South Africa, the completion date of which left too little time before Sri Lanka's tour of England.

Sri Lanka are expected to return home after the tournament before traveling onto England for an 11-week tour starting 26 April at Canterbury, Kent.

April 8: Pakistan v Sri Lanka
April 9: New Zealand v Sri Lanka
April 11: New Zealand v Pakistan
April 12: Pakistan v Sri Lanka
April 14: New Zealand v Sri Lanka
April 15: New Zealand v Pakistan
April 17: Final