Putting an end to the uncertainty on the fate of the series, Sri Lanka, on Friday, decided to go ahead with its cricket tour of Pakistan to fill in for a cancelled Indian trip.  

Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa discussed the issue with Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollgama, who recommended that the tour should advance as scheduled from January 20 to February 25.

The series will feature three Tests, as many ODIs and a Twenty20 match. It may be here recalled that due to Mumbai terror attacks, India called off its tour of Pakistan.

Banned by most visiting teams because of the unstable security situation there, Pakistan were anxious to host some international cricket after India cancelled their tour in the wake of the Mumbai bloodshed.

The Sports Minister had earlier made it clear that the cricket team would require a clearance from the Foreign Ministry before going ahead with the tour.

"We also need the foreign ministry clearance for the cricket tour to Pakistan and will be discussing the matter soon," Lokuge said.

The Sports Minister discussed the issue with the Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa who took up the issue with the Foreign Minister.

The interim committee headed by Arjuna Ranatunga had accepted the PCB invitation to play a full series in Pakistan.

On the other hand, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) hailed Sri Lanka's confirmation of their test tour next month as a lifeline for the Pakistani game.

Javed Miandad, the PCB's director-general of cricket, said, “We are really grateful to the Sri Lankan government for giving clearance to the tour and it will help revive the visit of foreign teams to our country.”