Toronto trip for Sri Lanka?

Sri Lanka could be playing in the Sahara Cup

Sri Lanka could replace India and play Pakistan in the Sahara Cup in Toronto next month.

The Sri Lankan cricket board has been informally approached by the tournament organisers with a view to filling the vacancy left by India's withdrawal.

India pulled out of the competition citing the recent killings in Kashmir, which the Indian government blamed on Pakistan-based militant groups.

The Sahara Cup runs from 9-16 September and Sri Lanka are not scheduled to play until they take on Pakistan in Dubai the following week.

Sri Lankan officials have said that the team could detour through Toronto and take part in both tournaments.

"We do have free time, but let me put it on record that there has been no formal invitation yet," said Chandrishan Perera, a spokesman for the Sri Lankan board.

Investigation

Indian newspapers have also claimed that part of the reason for India's withdrawal is the investigation into match fixing.

They have reported that some officials do not want players under investigation to represent the national side. No Indian players have been charged in connection with the investigation.

Last year India refused to play Pakistan in Toronto following confrontation between the two countries in Kashmir.

Instead the West Indies agreed to play each country without them meeting each other.

International Management Group, the tournament organisers, said they were looking into alternatives to salvage the tournament, including the possibility of recruiting a third nation as well.