With Sri Lanka’s visit to Lahore for a T20 International later this month in limbo following the players’ reluctance, Sri Lanka Cricketers’ Association (SLCA) has reportedly written a letter to Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), urging them to conduct an independent assessment.
According to Cricbuzz, Ken De Alwis, the General Secretary of SLCA, has said that SLC officials would discuss the matter at a meeting on Monday (October 23). De Lewis said that the assessment done before the World XI’s visit last month was excellent but insisted that the players’ association would appreciate a similar step from the SLC.
“The assessment done by the independent security firm for the World XI games had given an excellent report and we have requested SLC to do a similar assessment before the team travels to Lahore,” De Alwis revealed.
“We don’t have a problem in travelling to Pakistan but they need to conduct an assessment. The security assessment during the World XI games was done by Rex Dickson and we would appreciate if something similar is done this time as well.”
Meanwhile, despite the players’ reluctance, SLC has confirmed that they will be sending the team to Lahore for the third and final T20I. However, their hopes of sending a full-strength side have taken a big blow as captain Upul Tharanga and veteran pacer Lasith Malinga have refused to visit the country citing security reasons. Moreover, 40 contracted players have already written to the board, expressing their concerns. As a result, SLC, which was set to announce the squad earlier this week, has been forced to delay the announcement.
At the moment, SLC officials have arrived in the United Arab Emirates to convince the players.
With Pakistan Cricket Board desperate to host Sri Lanka in their bid to resume international cricket in the country, head coach Mickey Arthur is also playing his part as he has given his Sri Lankan counterpart Nic Pothas and manager Asanka Gurusinha a brief about the security situation in Lahore. Subsequently, Pothas, who was initially ready to visit Pakistan, has made SLC aware of his reservations.
The interim coach had also presented a dead bat when asked about the situation after the third ODI.
“That’s probably not an answer I would like to make at this forum. Something that I have to think about,” he had said.