The Pakistan cricket team's tour of India next year appears to be moving in the right direction as the PCB have received the tentative itinerary from their counterparts last week.

According to informed sources, the number of matches and dates have been confirmed. But what remains to be decided are the venues.

Sources said the two boards were in constant touch to finalise the venues so that Pakistan team's travelling is reduced to the minimum.

The Pakistan cricket authorities have already requested that no matches should be fixed in Maharashtra state. That means that Pakistan are unlikely to play any matches in Mumbai.

Sources stated that after the itinerary was confirmed, the two boards will approach their respective ministries for approval of the tour.

Reverting to the tentative itinerary, Pakistan will play three Tests, five one-day internationals and three three-day matches. The tour will be held between Jan 21 and March 16.

The following is the itinerary (venues to be decided):

Jan 21: Arrival in India
Jan 23-23: Practice
Jan 24-26: Three-dayer vs Ranji Trophy champions
Jan 27-28: Practice
Jan 29-31: Three-dayer vs Board President's XI
Feb 1-2: Practice
Feb 3-7: First Test
Feb 8-9: Practice
Feb 10-14: Second Test
Feb 15-16: Practice
Feb 17-19: Three-dayer vs India A
Feb 20-21: Practice
Feb 22-26: Third Test
Feb 27: Practice
Feb 28: One-day practice match
March 1-2: Practice
March 3: First One-day International
March 4-5: Practice
March 6: Second One-day International
March 7-8: Practice
March 9: Third One-day International
March 10-11: Practice
March 12: Fourth One-day International
March 13-14: Practice
March 15: Fifth One-day International
March 16: Departure