NEW DELHI, Jan 4: Sri Lanka are looking at splitting their proposed tour of Pakistan in order to squeeze in a home five-match one-day series against India.

Under the plan, Sri Lanka will visit Pakistan for the limited-overs leg of their tour later this month, return home for India’s visit and head back to Pakistan to play three Tests.

“I have told [Sri Lanka Cricket chief executive] Duleep Mendis to look at the option of touring Pakistan first for five ODIs and a Twenty20 match,” Gamini Lokuge, the Sri Lanka sports minister, was quoted as saying by PTI. “The team will then return to Colombo to play a five-match ODI series with India. We will then return to Pakistan for three Tests.”

Lokuge did not, however, provide a detailed itinerary. The minister had already confirmed talks with the BCCI and said the schedule was being finalised. India had toured Sri Lanka last year for three Tests and five ODIs.

Sri Lanka had stepped in to tour Pakistan following India’s cancellation of their visit from Jan 4 to Feb 21. However, after agreeing to tour for three Tests and five ODIs, Sri Lanka Cricket sought a shortened tour of two Tests, three ODIs and a Twenty20 game from Feb 15. The revised dates were believed to be on the suggestion of Sri Lanka’s players, who wanted a break after their Bangladesh tour.

Although the Pakistan Cricket Board is expected to agree to the new arrangement, it may have to push back their tour of Bangladesh for ODIs, scheduled to start on March 3, by a week.—Agencies