NEW DELHI, Dec 3: The first visit by a Pakistan cricket team to India in almost five years, scheduled to begin next week, has been postponed by 10 days, it was announced on Wednesday.

Pakistan’s second-string team, led by aggressive batsman Shahid Afridi, was due to play against the ‘A’ sides of India and Sri Lanka in a limited-overs series at Eden Gardens in Kolkata from Dec 13-22.

The series will now be held at the same venue from Dec 22-30, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said, without giving any reason for the delay.

The tournament will feature a mix of international players and the cream of young talent from all three countries.

A Pakistan cricket team last toured India in February-March 1999 when the senior side under Wasim Akram played three Test matches and a limited-overs series.

The Indian government banned bilateral cricket matches against Pakistan in May,

2000 following growing tension over Kashmir, but allowed

the teams to meet in multi-nation tournaments like the World Cup.

The recent thaw in diplomatic relations between the arch-rivals saw cricket ties being revived again in November with an Indian under-19 team touring Pakistan for a four-nation tournament.

The senior Indian team is scheduled to undertake its first Test tour of Pakistan since 1989 in March-April next year.

Revised schedule

Dec 22: India v Sri Lanka.

Dec 23: Pakistan v Sri Lanka.

Dec 24: Rest day.

Dec 25: India v Pakistan.

Dec 26: India v Sri Lanka.

Dec 27: Pakistan v Sri Lanka.

Dec 28: India v Pakistan.

Dec 29: Rest day.

Dec 30: Final.—AFP