PAK vs SL 2017: If Everything Is Clear, We Will Be Able To Send Our Best Team To Pakistan, Says SLC Chief
Oct 15, 2017 at 1:05 PM
While Sri Lanka’s proposed visit to Pakistan later this month for a T20 International in limbo following the players’ reluctance to visit the country, Sri Lanka Cricket chief Thilanga Sumathipala said that the board would be able to send a strong team to Lahore once the security clearance is obtained.
Sumathipala’s comments have come hours after 40 contracted players wrote a letter to Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), expressing their apprehensions over playing in Lahore.
Confirming the news, Sumathipala told Cricbuzz:
“The players have made an appeal to SLC asking for a change of venue for the third T20I. We will discuss the issue on Monday at an Executive Committee meeting. I can understand their concerns. It is our responsibility to assess the situation and then take a decision.”
“The ICC is sending down match officials and have indicated that there’s no issue with security. The PCB has promised to give security that will be given to a Head of State. We are sending another specialist to assess the situation on our own and will rely on the government’s advice on the security situation,” he added. “If everything is clear, I am sure we will be able to send our best team.”
Except for Zimbabwe in 2015, no country had visited Pakistan since 2009 when militants attacked the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore. The scenario, however, is slowly improving this year with the ICC and PCB both keen on reviving international cricket in Pakistan. Earlier this year, the final of the Pakistan Super League was hosted in Lahore and a recently a World XI side visited the country for a three-match T20I series.
The Sri Lankan players are currently in UAE for the ongoing five-match ODI series which will be followed by the three-match T20I series, and Sumathipala made it clear that the board will announce the same squad for all the T20Is.
“We will pick the squad for all three T20s. There can’t be one team playing in UAE and another playing in Lahore. The players should not pick and choose venues. Since I am a Parliamentarian, I have a hectic schedule, but I am planning to fly to Dubai and from there I will go to Lahore with the team and come back to Colombo with the team,” he said.
Sumathipala also recalled the 2009 incident and called it a traumatic experience and stated that the board would not take any step that would put the players in danger.
“It was a traumatic experience to our players when the attack happened and we will take everything into consideration. The players need to understand that we will not do anything that will put them in danger,” Sumathipala said.
“The PCB is making every effort to play the game. We have had our own bad experiences due to terrorism but most cricket teams supported us in time of need. The cricket world needs to support Pakistan. Once we finish the Ex-Co meeting on Monday, I intend to speak to the President, Prime Minister and Sports Minister to get their advice. I am sure everything will be taken care of,” he added.