Sri Lanka may replace India for Sahara Cup in Toronto

But other cricket officials said tournament organisers had informally sounded out the Sri Lankan board.

India stepped out of the September 9-16 series of One-Day matches, saying it would not play against Pakistan because of recent killings in Kashmir, which New Delhi blamed on Pakistan-based militant groups.

The Indian government’s decision also cast a shadow over the Indian cricket team’s scheduled tour to Pakistan in November to play a Test series.

Last year India refused to play Pakistan in Toronto following a confrontation between the armies of the hostile neighbours in the Kargil sector of Kashmir.

Instead, the West Indies team went to Canada and played a series of One-Day matches against the Indian and Pakistani sides, which never played each other.

International Management Group, which organises the series, said it was looking into alternatives to salvage the series, including the entry of a third Nation.

The Sri Lankan officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the team could detour through Toronto and take part in both tournaments. “Right now, it is speculation, as we don’t have any official communication,” Perera said.