اردو
  • Sri Lanka Cricket Board gives go ahead with Pakistan tour

    Sri Lanka Cricket Board gives go ahead with Pakistan tour File Photo Sri Lanka Cricket Board gives go ahead with Pakistan tour

    Sri Lanka's cricket board Thursday said it will go ahead with its tour of Pakistan.

    Sri Lanka Cricket Secretary Mohan de Silva said they received the all-clear from the defence ministry to leave for Pakistan on Tuesday.

    "We have the green light from the defence ministry," de Silva told AFP.

    "The tour is on as we planned. I myself and our office bearers will also be accompanying the team."

    Reports last week of a possible terror attack were referred to the defence ministry for investigation.

    The Sri Lanka team was the target of an attack during a Test match in Pakistan's Lahore in March 2009, with six players injured when gunmen attacked their bus.

    Since the attack, a majority of international teams have refused to tour the South Asian country.

    Sri Lanka's first match in Lahore after that was one T20 game against Pakistan in October 2017.

    De Silva visited Pakistan last month along with a security consultant to check out the arrangements made by the hosts.

    "They have promised security reserved for a head of state," de Silva said.

    The six-match tour, due to start on September 27, was put on hold last week after the Sri Lanka prime minister's office warned the board it had unspecified information about a possible attack against its players.

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said it was not aware of any information relating to the safety of the Sri Lankan team, but reiterated its commitment to providing security.

    Ten senior players opted out of the tour citing security concerns.

    Sri Lanka has already announced two squads for the three one-day internationals and the three T20 matches.

    Pakistan and Sri Lanka are scheduled to play three ODI matches at Karachi’s National Stadium on September 27, 29 and October 2. Three T20Is will take place at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on October 5, 7 and 9.

    Sri Lanka will host Pakistan for two World Test Championships in late December.