India's tour to Pakistan not yet confirmed

New Delhi, Nov 19 (ANI): India's Test tour of Pakistan, which is scheduled to take place early next year, is not confirmed until it is cleared by the government.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India has sought security clearance from the government to go ahead with the tour, BCCI president Shashank Manohar told reporters here.

"The tour will be finalised once we get the clearance from the government. Nothing can be confirmed before that," said Manohar.

India is scheduled to play three Tests, five one-day internationals and a Twenty20 match during the five-week tour from January 13 to February 19.

It will be the fifth bilateral series between the two countries since 2004, when cricket ties resumed after a 15-year gap due to political tensions between the warring neighbours.

The tour was put in doubt after the Indian government denied permission to the national junior hockey team to visit Pakistan earlier this month.

Earlier, Australia cancelled a Test tour of Pakistan in March and the International Cricket Council put off the high-profile Champions Trophy there in September due to security concerns.

Recent media reports have suggested that the series could be held in India or at a neutral venue if the Indian government denies permission to play in Pakistan, The News reported. (ANI)