Colombo, January 4:

Sri Lanka today said they were keen to host India for a one-day series ahead of their tour to Pakistan from January 20.

Sports minister Gamini Lokuge said that Sri Lanka have invited India to play a five ODI series and “are waiting for a positive reply from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) soon.” Lokege added: “We expect to play the five-ODI series against India before our Pakistan tour later this month. The Indian tour schedule is yet to be finalised, but we are positive about it.” Dismissing reports from various quarters that the ODI series against India was being hurriedly organised as a delaying tactic in finalising the itinerary for the Pakistan tour, Lokuge said that the Pakistan tour would be on.