The Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka (BCCSL) accepted an invitation "in principle" to tour Pakistan on Tuesday and fill the void left by the last-minute withdrawal of New Zealand following the terrorist attacks in the US.

The BCCSL received a formal invitation from the PCB to play a short one-day series on Monday and, following discussions with the players last week and advice from the Foreign Office, have given the green light, as long as certain security conditions are met.

Anura Tennekoon, the Chief Executive, has now contacted the Sri Lankan High Commission in Pakistan for advice. If they believe it would be safe for the players then the tour will be officially confirmed.

The Sri Lankans have also sought changes to the proposed match dates, requesting that the games be brought forward to ensure a proper rest before the scheduled tri-series in Sharjah against Pakistan and Zimbabwe. All the games are to be played in Lahore and Karachi.

A board official, speaking after the Interim Committee meeting, said: "The board have looked favourably upon the invitation after the similar assistance was afforded to us in 1996 by players from Pakistan and India."

The official was referring to when Australia and West Indies refused to play their World Cup qualifying round matches in Colombo after a Tamil Tiger suicide bomb exploded in the capital. Facing lost revenue and a tarnished image, Sri Lankan cricket was rescued by players from Pakistan and India, who traveled to Colombo to play a hastily arranged curtain raiser.

"The welfare and safety of the players was discussed, but they themselves have responded positively to the proposals," he said. "The general feeling is that we should support Pakistan cricket, subject to some more reassurances."

The Sri Lankan decision will be greatly appreciated by the PCB, who are facing a serious financial crisis after India cancelled a planned tour earlier in the year and pulled out of the Asian Test Championship. With the New Zealand also abandoning their tour the PCB were left with estimated loses of USD $ 30 million in the year and no income since England's tour last December.

© CricInfo