PAK vs SL 2019: Sri Lanka Cricket Reassess Security in Pakistan after Terrorist Threat

The Sri Lankan cricket board (SLC) informed they were reassessing the security situation in Pakistan before their scheduled limited-overs tour to the country later in September. They are scheduled to play three ODIs in Karachi and as many T20Is in Lahore. PAK vs SL 2019 series will begin from September 27 and October 9.

However, the decision was taken after a warning, that the SLC received from the Prime Minister’s Office, sent via the Ministry of Telecommunication, Foreign Employment and Sports.

According to the warning that the Prime Minister’s Office has received from the reliable source is a possible terrorist threat on the team during their tour to Pakistan. Hence SLC has been advised to take another look and reassess the situation before the tour begins.

Earlier, Sri Lanka had announced the ODI and T20I squads for the upcoming PAK vs SL 2019 series after 10 players backed out due to security reasons. Niroshan Dickwella, Kusal Janith Perera, Dhananjaya De Silva, Thisara Perera, Akila Dhananjaya, Lasith Malinga, Angelo Mathews, Suranga Lakmal, Dinesh Chandimal and Dimuth Karunaratne were the player who are not going to take part in the tournament while Kusal Mendis was not available for selection due to an injury.

Even the news also came that Pakistan claimed of Sri Lankan players being influenced by India. However, Sri Lankan minister, Harin Fernando refused that and shared the decision was taken based on the previous terror attack on Sri Lanka team.

However, there is a question mark on the series as Sri Lanka players don’t want to face another terror attack. It was in 2009 when the Sri Lankan team had come down to Pakistan, a terror attack took place near Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, Pakistan. The players were on their way to play the third day of the second Test against Pakistan. Six players were wounded while six Pakistani policemen and two civilians were killed in that attack.

Although Sri Lanka returned to play a T20I match in October 2017, Sri Lankan players were reportedly uncomfortable. However, an official source in the Pakistan Cricket Board had earlier told Press Trust of India that Pakistan would accept whatever the Sri Lankan Cricket Board sends. Pakistan, on the other hand, have not hosted a high-profile team for a full-length series ever since the terrorist attack.

Although, Lahiru Thirimanne, Dasun Shanaka have been named as the captains in ODI and T20I series against Pakistan, Pakistan’s hope of bringing cricket back to the country seems difficult with this new threat.