Asgiriya to miss international cricket

The future of the Asgiriya International Stadium in Kandy as a regular Test venue was put in doubt after it was not granted any matches for the upcoming twin tours of Pakistan and New Zealand respectively.

Pakistan who will arrive in the island on June 27 will play the opening Test match at the Galle International Stadium from July 4 following a three day warm up fixture at the Colts Cricket Club grounds in Havelock Park.

The second Test match will be worked off at the P. Saravanamuttu Stadium and the third and final Test will commence on July 20 at the SSC grounds in Maitland Place.

Pakistan will then travel to Dambulla for the first leg of the one day international series with three back to back day night matches on July 30, August 1 and August 3.

The series will then move to the Khettarama Stadium where the last two one day Internationals in addition to the Twenty20 International will be played under lights on August 7, 9 and 12 respectively. Meanwhile New Zealand will arrive on August 10 for a two Test series, five one day internationals and two Twenty20 Internationals. Both Test matches will be played in Colombo and the venues will be the P. Saravanamuttu Stadium and the SSC grounds in Maitland Place.

The five match one day series will be split between the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium and the Khettarama Stadium which will also host the two Twenty20 Internationals.

C.D