Sri Lanka's President has given the green light for the national team to tour Pakistan next month in place of India, who cancelled its five-week series over the Mumbai attacks. Sri Lanka's Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama announced the decision to go ahead after talks with President Mahinda Rajapakse who sanctioned the national team's tour from Jan. 20 to Feb. 25, the foreign ministry said. “Minister Bogollagama is of the view that sport is an effective means of promoting connectivity between nations and thereby enhancing friendship and mutual goodwill between countries,” the ministry said in a statement. Last week, Sri Lanka Cricket, the sport's governing body here, said they agreed to take India's place and ask the hosts to scrap two Twenty20 games and turn them into one day matches. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had said Sri Lanka agreed to tour the country in place of India after playing in Bangladesh. Sri Lanka is likely to play Test matches in Karachi, Lahore and Multan, while Karachi would also host the two proposed one-dayers. The remaining one-dayers would likely be played in Lahore. Pakistan last played a Test match in December last year, against India in Bangalore. India called off its tour of Pakistan after New Delhi refused to grant the team permission to travel across the border in the wake of last month's attacks on Mumbai, which India has blamed on Pakistan-based militants. Ponting hits ton Powered by a timely ton (101) by skipper Ricky Ponting stepped up Australia's bid to level the series by guiding the team to 280-6 in the second Test against South Africa at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on the Boxing Day. But South Africa fought back as it did at the WACA, where it earned a 1-0 lead in the three-match series, hitting regularly and effectively whenever Australia seemed to be racing away. Dale Steyn chipped in with two important wickets after lunch to drop Australia to 143-3. Makhaya Ntini (2), M. Morkel and Haris were the other wicket-takers. It was Ponting's 37th Test century, his fourth at the MCG. Scores: Australia 280-6 (Ponting 101, Katich 54, Haddin 40, Clarke 36 not out).
