India To Tour Sri Lanka In August For Limited-Overs Series: Report

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reportedly agreed to tour Sri Lanka in August, subject to clearance from both governments. Team India has not played any game since the tour of New Zealand ended in early March. They were set to play a three-match ODI series against South Africa before the IPL.

But after the first match was washed out without a ball being bowled, the series was called off in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. The pandemic has caused cricket activity around the world being halted. The Australia-New Zealand ODI on March 13 was the last international game before every event was called off.

But the situation is finally improving and cricket looks set to start within few days. If everything goes well, international cricket can resume next month with a Test series between England and West Indies. The Caribbean outfit has already landed in England for the three-match series.

On the other hand, Team India could be seen in action in August, according to a report in The Island. The report said the BCCI confirmed their readiness to Sri Lanka Cricket on Tuesday.

The Sri Lankan cricket board will now seek permission from the country’s Ministry of Sports to resume bilateral cricket in the country. India were scheduled to play three ODIs and as many T20Is in Sri Lanka in June, which didn’t happen due to the pandemic.

Once the Sri Lankan government gives clearance, the SLC will work on the schedule and other details of the series. The report further added that SLC is hopeful of hosting the series with a few spectators in the stands while ensuring social distancing norms.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka are also hoping to host the Asia Cup this year. The tournament is originally scheduled to be held in Pakistan. However, the BCCI has made it clear that the Indian team would not be able to play there due to the poor bilateral relation between the two countries.

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) chief Shammi Silva has said that Pakistan Cricket Board is fine with SLC hosting the event.

“We had a discussion with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and they have already agreed to our hosting this edition due to the present world situation,” Shammi Silva was quoted as saying by Sri Lankan media outlet ‘Ceylon Today’. “We had an online ACC meeting and they basically gave us the green light to host the tournament.”

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