Pakistan have invited Sri Lanka to tour next year, filling the gap created by India's recent cancellation of a proposed Test series.
The Indian government refused to sanction permission for India to travel to Pakistan for a series comprising of three Tests, five one-dayers and a Twenty20 international in January and February next year.
The Pakistan Cricket Board, who had already discussed the possibility of Sri Lanka stepping in to bridge the gap should India refuse to tour, wasted no time in sending a formal invite to Sri Lanka.
"India's withdrawal is disappointing for us but we were expecting this," PCB chief operating officer Salim Altaf said.
"We have sent an invitation to Sri Lanka to play three Tests, three one-day internationals and a Twenty20 game.
"Pakistan has gone without Test cricket for more than a year now and we are desperate to have international cricket at home.
"The Sri Lankan board should hopefully accept our invitation."
Confirming receipt of the invitation Sri Lanka Cricket chairman Arjuna Ranatunga said they had assured Pakistan of their support.
"The PCB have official contacted us and we have assured them of our fullest support," Ranatunga said.
"We have agreed to play in Pakistan and have not demanded huge financial guarantees.
"As for security concerns, we were very pleased with the security arrangements made during the Asia Cup.
"India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka have always worked closely together and we wish to ensure that good relationship is maintained.
"It will be an exciting series."
The Sri Lankan team is currently away in Bangladesh where they are due to play two Tests and a triangular one-day series also involving Zimbabwe.
India's tour of Pakistan was due to begin with the first Test in Karachi on January 13, but Sri Lanka can only travel to Pakistan only after January 16 when the tri-nation one-day series ends in Bangladesh.
The Pakistan Cricket Board, who had already discussed the possibility of Sri Lanka stepping in to bridge the gap should India refuse to tour, wasted no time in sending a formal invite to Sri Lanka.
"India's withdrawal is disappointing for us but we were expecting this," PCB chief operating officer Salim Altaf said.
"We have sent an invitation to Sri Lanka to play three Tests, three one-day internationals and a Twenty20 game.
"Pakistan has gone without Test cricket for more than a year now and we are desperate to have international cricket at home.
"The Sri Lankan board should hopefully accept our invitation."
Confirming receipt of the invitation Sri Lanka Cricket chairman Arjuna Ranatunga said they had assured Pakistan of their support.
"The PCB have official contacted us and we have assured them of our fullest support," Ranatunga said.
"We have agreed to play in Pakistan and have not demanded huge financial guarantees.
"As for security concerns, we were very pleased with the security arrangements made during the Asia Cup.
"India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka have always worked closely together and we wish to ensure that good relationship is maintained.
"It will be an exciting series."
The Sri Lankan team is currently away in Bangladesh where they are due to play two Tests and a triangular one-day series also involving Zimbabwe.
India's tour of Pakistan was due to begin with the first Test in Karachi on January 13, but Sri Lanka can only travel to Pakistan only after January 16 when the tri-nation one-day series ends in Bangladesh.
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