Pakistan's Under-19 tour of Sri Lanka called off

Sri Lanka Cricket has called off the Under-19 series against Pakistan following serial blasts that left over 250 people dead in Colombo last week.

The Pakistan team was set to leave for Colombo on April 30, with the first game scheduled for May 3 in Galle. As things stand, the tour has been postponed indefinitely.

The PCB had been monitoring the situation, and had kept the doors open for the tour.

"The tour has been postponed indefinitely," an SLC official confirmed to Cricday. "It was a decision taken by SLC, as we didn't want to take any chances."

Zakir Khan, the PCB Director - International, said in a release: "The two boards are now working on alternate options, including the possibility of a series prior to the Pakistan U19's tour of South Africa in June. As soon as these details are confirmed, the PCB will make a formal announcement."

Pakistan Under-19 were scheduled to play two four-day games and three one-day matches on the tour, in Galle and Hambantota.

The squad led by Rohail Nazir has been training at a conditioning camp in Karachi over the last five days.

The Sri Lankan board, on Sunday*, stated in a release: "SLC is working with Pakistan Cricket Board on alternate options and the new dates will be notified; once confirmed."

The team's next assignment is a tour of South Africa in June-July, as part of their build-up to next year's Under-19 World Cup, also in South Africa. At the previous edition in New Zealand, Pakistan were one of the losing semi-finalists.

*4:48am GMT, April 28, 2019: Story updated to include SLC's statement