SLC not hosting Indo-Pak series for benefits: SLC Secretary

Prakash Schaffter feels it is an act of goodwill gesture.

New Delhi: The Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) is gearing up to host the marquee India versus Pakistan series "purely on goodwill" and "not for any other benefits", said its Interim Committee's secretary Prakash Schaffter. 

"Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has decided to play the hosts for the Indo-Pak series as any good and co-operative neighbour would do. If we are hosting this series, it is an act of goodwill gesture towards our neighbours and not for any kind of financial benefits from this series," Schaffter told PTI from Colombo. Asked if there could be any financial benefits since the marquee series has a lot of economic viability, Schaffter replied,"This is an Indo-Pak series.

Even if you are talking about any revenue benefits, it would not be anything substantial for us. We are just facilitators." "As I have said that the idea of hosting the series has got nothing to do with financial benefits. There are a lot of other avenues through which we can garner revenue and we certainly don't need this series for that." 

Schaffter made it clear that venues and other details can only be discussed once the announcement of the series is made officially 

"As far as I am given to understand, we have not received anything in writing from the Pakistan Cricket Board. I suppose it will only happen after the series is officially announced. Once that is done, it will be appropriate on our behalf to speak about the other relevant details concerning the series," the Interim Committee's secretary said. 

Asked about the weather conditions during the last part of December, Schaffter said,"Well it's expected that monsoon showers would not be heavy at that time. But when it comes to weather predictions, your guess is as good as mine." According to sources, Khettarama (R Premadasa Stadium) and Pallekele (Kandy) are the two venues expected to host the series which in all likelihood may be confined to three ODIs and two T20 Internationals. 

The BCCI has already written to their Union Home Ministry seeking clearance for the series to go-ahead in the island nation. Similarly, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Shaharyar Khan has said that they are waiting for prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to be back in the country as he is the person authorized to give a green light. 

The official announcement is expected to be made on Friday, November 27 in Dubai at the ICC headquarters and it will be done by chairman of the PCB 'Task Force' Giles Clarke. The series was cleared late last week when BCCI president Shahshank Manohar met Khan and senior PCB official Najam Sethi at the ICC headquarters in presence of Clarke where Sri Lanka turned out to be a mutually acceptable venue.