SYDNEY, Sept 5: The three-Test cricket series with Pakistan to be played at neutral venues in Sri Lanka and Sharjah next month was confirmed by the Australian Cricket Board (ACB) Thursday.

The Test series, originally scheduled for Pakistan, will begin in the Sri Lankan capital of Colombo on Oct 3 with the remaining matches in Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates from Oct 11 and 19 respectively.

ACB chief executive James Sutherland said the ACB was satisfied with the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) proposal, having made a pre-tour inspection of Sri Lanka prior to the International Cricket Council (ICC) Champions Trophy.

The ICC, through its Anti-Corruption Unit, has approved Sharjah as a venue for international cricket, Sutherland said.

“The ACB is satisfied with the arrangements proposed by the Pakistan Cricket Board,” Sutherland said in a statement released Thursday.

“Logistically, the tour works well, with a number of players involved in the ICC Champions Trophy able to remain in Sri Lanka for the first Test against Pakistan,” he said.

Australia refused to play the series in Pakistan because of security concerns.

Sutherland said despite the relocation the ACB was pleased that the series could proceed in October.

“After making the decision not to travel to Pakistan, the ACB was committed to having the series staged in October at a neutral venue,” he said.

“In the best interests of international cricket and the ICC’s future tours programme it was very important that these matches went ahead as scheduled.

“As host of the series, the PCB should be credited for arranging these venues in such a short timeframe.”

Schedule:

Oct 3-7: First Test (Colombo).

Oct 11-15: Second Test (Sharjah).

Oct 19-23: Third Test (Sharjah).—AFP