Pakistan to play cricket series with Sri Lanka during winter of UAE

The teams will play two Twenty20s followed by five-match ODI series and three Tests spread across Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah.

Pakistan have had to host international teams in the UAE since a terror attack on the Sri Lanka team bus in Lahore in 2009. Pawan Singh / The National

KARACHI // Pakistan announced on Friday they will play a full series of three Tests, five one-dayers and two Twenty20 internationals against Sri Lanka in the United Arab Emirates starting in December.

Since an attack on the Sri Lanka team in Lahore in 2009, Pakistan have been forced to play all top-level home international matches at neutral venues with insecurity too great for foreign teams to tour.

Sri Lanka will open the tour with two Twenty20s in Dubai on December 11 and 13 before playing five one-dayers between December 18 and 27, two in Sharjah on December 18 and 22; two in Abu Dhabi on December 25 and 27; and one in Dubai on December 20.

The three Tests will be played in Dubai from December 31-January 4, in Abu Dhabi from January 8-12 and Sharjah from January 16-20.

Pakistan are also likely to play a Twenty20 against Afghanistan on December 8, which would be the first between the two teams. Final confirmation of the match is due in a few days.

Tour itinerary

Dec 7 Sri Lanka arrive in Dubai

Dec 8 Pakistan v Afghanistan, one-off T20 (to be confirmed)

Dec 11 Pakistan v Sri Lanka, first T20, Dubai

Dec 13 Second T20, Dubai

Dec 18 First ODI, Sharjah

Dec 20 Second ODI, Dubai

Dec 22 Third ODI, Sharjah

Dec 25 Fourth ODI, Abu Dhabi

Dec 27 Fifth ODI, Abu Dhabi

Dec 31-Jan 4 First Test, Dubai

Jan 8-12 Second Test, Abu Dhabi

Jan 16-20 Third Test, Sharjah

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