The BCCI has formally sought the clearance of the central government to play Pakistan in Sri lanka in December, its secretary Anurag Thakur confirmed.
The ball is now in the court of respective governments of India and Pakistan with both BCCI and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) waiting for political clearance for the series next month.
"Yesterday, I have written a letter to the Foreign Ministry seeking clearance to play with Pakistan in Sri lanka," said Thakur.
"According to the agreement of India and Pakistan, both teams were supposed to play in UAE or at any other neutral venue if the conditions in Pakistan were not suitable. It is up to Pakistan as to where they want to play. After discussions with BCCI and PCB, both countries have decided to play in Sri lanka," he added.
PCB too is waiting for the government nod and Shahryar Khan expects PM Sharif to take the decision soon. "It is very much in the hands of the government. I personally don't know how much time it will take for the clearance. The Prime Minister is travelling at the moment, so he will take a decision soon after coming back. We will just have to wait," Shahryar said.
Eng likely venue for Indo-Pak Tests
Karachi: The much talked-about India-Pakistan cricket series could be played out in two parts with Sri lanka hosting the limited-overs games next month and England being the venue for Test matches next year.
"PCB Chairman Shaharyar Khan has sought permission of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and the foreign ministry to play a limited-overs series with India in Sri lanka next month," a source in the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination said.
He said Shaharyar had also indicated that India was willing to also play some Tests against Pakistan next year.
"The plan is that Pakistan would tour India in 2017 for a full series while before that India will play us in two phases. Indications are that the Tests will be held in England in summer," he said.