Asian Test Championship final to be held in Pakistan

The Asian Test Championship (ATC), which has lain quietly dormant for five months, is set to spring back into action in March when Sri Lanka and Pakistan contest the final.

The final, tentatively scheduled for March 6-10, will also mark the return of international cricket to Pakistan, as Sri Lanka's cricket board have agreed to become the first major international side to tour there after the September 11 terrorist attacks in America.

The second Asian Cricket Council (ACC) managed Test championship was dealt a cruel blow before its commencement when India withdrew at the last moment citing political reasons.

Without the prospect of a high profile clash between India and Pakistan, the ACC was unable to find a title sponsor and international broadcaster, undermining its revenue raising objectives.

Pakistan and Sri Lanka romped to thumping innings victories against Bangladesh in the opening two games played in September.

With Pakistan and Sri Lanka's place in the final already guaranteed, the final group game, originally penciled in for January 30 at Colombo, was abandoned.

Wasim Akram's Pakistan won the inaugural ATC crown in March 1999 when they crushed Sri Lanka by an innings and 175 runs in the final at Dhaka.