Indo-Pak series: Time running out as Men in Blue to leave for Australia on January 6

New Delhi: As the decision regarding the much-awaited Indo-Pak series still lies with the Indian government, time is running out with each passing day as Team India also has to leave for Australia for a limited-overs series.

According to a report in The Times of India, Board of Cricket for Control in India (BCCI) secretary Anurag Thakur said, "The team will be flying out to Australia on January 5. They have to get a week's rest before that. So, if the series against Pakistan does happen, it has to be completed by Dec 30."

It's already December 11, which means if the series has to happen, it has to finish in the next 18 days.

The final decision regarding the future of the series is pending with the Indian government after a green signal was given by Nawaz Sharif recently.

Indian Premier League (IPL) chairman Rajeev Shukla had earlier confirmed that Sri Lanka had been decided as the neutral venue for the much-anticipated series between the neighbouring countries.

Notably, Najam Sethi was chairman of the board when the PCB and BCCI signed a MOU last year under which the two countries agree to play six series against each other between 2015 and 2023 with Pakistan hosting the first series in December this year in UAE.

India has not played a full bilateral Test series with Pakistan after the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.