With External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj in Pakistan, the logjam on the India-Pakistan series is expected to get over by Wednesday when she meets her counterparts with the neighbours.
BCCI president Shashank Manohar on his part maintained his stance of the decision being up to the government. “I can’t predict [whether the series would take place] because I am not an astrologer,” Manohar said. “It’s the government’s call, let the government take it.”
According to a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) source, the series dates may be changed from the current December 15 to December 24 to give the Indian team longer to rest with the South Africa tour just getting wrapped up. The series is likely to be played till January 5, if there is a green light from both governments. “The series will be played probably in Sri lanka in such a manner that both the teams leave for their tours to New Zealand and Australia straight from Colombo,” the source said.
He said the Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) had indicated that it wanted to give its players a rest period of around 10 to 12 days before the series against Pakistan.
While India has to travel to Australia around January 6 or 7, Pakistan is scheduled to leave for New Zealand for a limited-over series on January 7.
There are also suggestions that the series could be reduced to two ODI’s and two T20’s due to limited time for logistics and preparation.