KARACHI, Pakistan (AFP)
Pakistan and Sri Lanka have agreed to play the final of the Asian Test Championship (ATC) from March 6-10 at Lahore, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) announced today.

"The dates of the second Asian Championship final were decided after we got the consent of both the boards involved," ACC secretary Zakir Hussain Syed told AFP.

Pakistan's Cricket Board had also proposed a five-match one-day series in addition to the ATC final, but that was turned down by the Sri Lankan Board.

The championship, which decides the best Test team in Asia, lost its sheen after India pulled out last September, protesting at Pakistan's involvement in Indian-administered Kashmir.

Pakistan and India last met on cricket fields during the Asia Cup at Dhaka two years ago. But their under-19 teams met recently in a league game in the Youth World Cup in New Zealand.

Both Pakistan and Sri Lanka thrashed Bangladesh by an innings in the Asian Test Championship late last year, and agreed to abandon the meaningless league game between themeselves and go straight to the final.

"We have a disappointing Asian Championship because of India's withdrawal," said Syed, "and since the event was a major revenue-earner for us we suffered badly."

Syed added that India's withdrawal had cost the ACC an estimated $30million. "We hope to get a sponsor for the final, but it's still much below earnings than the last time."

India's withdrawal will top the agenda when the ACC meets in Sharjah on February 16-17, according to Syed. "Both Pakistan and India will have to play a leadership role if Asian cricket is to prosper, and all our future events depend on their participation."

India's Sports Ministry maintains they will not revive cricket ties with Pakistan until the current standoff between the nuclear rivals is resolved. Between them the rival neighbours have amassed around 800,000 troops on their border, despite repeated calls for restraint from the international community. New Delhi has demanded that Pakistan hand over alleged terrorists, whom it blames for the deadly attack on India's parliament last December.

The ACC also plans to host the limited-overs Asia Cup tournament in August and September in Pakistan, but India's continued refusal to play Pakistan is threatening to mar that event too.

Sri Lanka will arrive on March 1 for the Asian Test Championship, and are likely to play one warm-up game before the ATC final.

Pakistan won the first Asian Test Championship in 1999, a tournament in which India did participate.

(C) AFP Ltd

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