India, Pakistan 'most likely' to play in Sri Lanka between December 20 and January 3

Most of the matches will be played in Colombo, but Kandy is not ruled out as a likely venue

Mumbai

: Sri Lanka is -"most likely-" to be the neutral venue for the forthcoming bilateral series between Pakistan and India, it is learnt here. No body in Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) was willing to go on record as they wanted this announcement to be made either by the Indian cricket board or jointly with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). However, BCCI chief Shashank Manohar is believed to have hinted the possibilities of playing three ODIs' and two Twenty20 matches in the Island nation.

The tours by both India and Pakistan teams will commence on December 20 and will end on January 3, it is learnt here. Currently, most of the matches are thought to be played in Colombo, but Kandy is not ruled out as a likely venue either.

The PCB's home series will end on January 3, which is also scheduled to be the election day in SLC. -"We will be more than happy to host high profile matches between India and Pakistan,-" Sidath Wettimuny, chief of SLC Board said on Monday morning.

The two groups headed by Nishantha Ranatunga and Thilanga Sumathipala are likely to contest the elections. Ranatunga's brother and Sri Lanka's only World Cup winning captain Arjuna Ranatunga are preparing to be the Chief Selector or Vice-President from Nishantha's group. Heerantha Perrera and Mohan D'Silva from respective groups are contesting for the post of secretary, it is learnt.

It is also well known that Manohar is reluctant to play matches in the UAE as the venue is not safe. In 2014, when the IPL was shifted to UAE, the BCCI President had opposed the move. According to sources, Manohar feels that UAE's reputation as a cricket-hosting venue took a serious hit over allegations of betting and match-fixing.