Sri Lanka tour of Pakistan:

 

Sri Lanka’s tour of Pakistan will go according to the original schedule after Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) confirmed that the Pakistan government had made sure of its desire to provide the Sri Lanka team with the same level of security that is provided to the heads of state.

The Sri Lanka cricket team’s tour of Pakistan was thrown in doubts after the Sri Lankan government received news of a possible terrorist threat on the Sri Lankan cricket team, right after two days the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) announced their touring squads without their ten frontline players that refused to travel to Pakistan due to security concerns.

The Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) had asked Pakistan to reassess the security situation in the country regarding the news of a possible terrorist threat on Sri Lanka’s cricket team.

Sri Lanka Cricket’s Secretary Mohan De Silva confirmed that the High Commissioner of Pakistan had reaffirmed Pakistan’s desire to provide Sri Lanka’s cricket team with the same level of security as that provided to the head of state.

After the news of possible security threats on Sri Lanka’s cricket team, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) discussed with the Pakistan government about the issue after which they wrote to Sri Lanka government assuring them head-of-state-level security to the Sri Lanka’s cricket team.

A release from Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) said that Sri Lanka’s ministry of defense had confirmed that they had received no information through any Intelligence Agency which indicates a threat to the Sri Lanka cricket team or to their tour to Pakistan.

The release also said that the letter from the Pakistan government had assured them that the government of Pakistan will ensure the highest consideration of security to the visiting cricket team. The letter also indicated that the Pakistan Army will coordinate the security arrangements and the security protocol provided will be compatible to that of a head of state.

Sri Lanka had announced their cricket team without the names of their 10 players who refused to travel to Pakistan for the tour right before receiving the news of possible terror threats.

Ehsan Mani about Sri Lanka’s tour:

Even though the tour was thrown in doubts after the news of possible terror threats, Pakistan Cricket Board’s chairman Ehsan Mani made the announcement of retaining Sarfaraz Ahmed as Pakistan cricket team’s captain for the upcoming Sri Lanka’s tour to Pakistan.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ehsan Mani said in a press that Pakistan is confident in hosting Sri Lanka this month, neither he nor his board was looking for a neutral venue to shift the series.

Ehsan Mani informed that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was in discussion with the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) and that he expects the tour to continue as they originally planned. Ehsan Mani said that their decision is very clear and they are not exploring any neutral venues. The PCB chairman further added that they don’t have the time to look out for any other option right now and that it is Pakistan’s home series and it will be played in Pakistan.

Ehsan Mani declared that it has been their understanding right from the start and they are in discussions with the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) and they are very positive about sending their team.

Sri Lanka’s upcoming tour to Pakistan will be the longest bilateral series in a decade which is being played inside Pakistan. The Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore will host the T20Is while the ODIs will be played in The National Stadium in Karachi.

The international cricket came to a halt in Pakistan after Sri Lanka’s cricket team was attacked by gunmen on their way to the ground in Lahore in 2009.