Sri Lanka to reassess security situation ahead of Pakistan tour

The statement came a short while after the board announced their squads for the ODI and T20I series, beginning on September 27.

While SLC have stopped short of calling off the tour, a fresh security threat that was received at the Prime Minister’s Office has them worried. The Ministry of Telecommunication, Foreign Employment and Sports has warned them of a possible terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team and advised them to proceed with extreme caution.

Sri Lanka ODI Squad for Pakistan tour. #PAKvSL pic.twitter.com/eZjOux69Di

— Sri Lanka Cricket ?? (@OfficialSLC) September 11, 2019

Ten senior players, including ODI and T20I captains Dimuth Karunaratne and Lasith Malinga, have already pulled out of the series, citing security concerns. The other eight to have opted out are Angelo Mathews, Thisara Perera, Niroshan Dickwella, Kusal Perera, Dhananjaya de Silva, Akila Dananjaya, Suranga Lakmal and Dinesh Chandimal.

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In March 2009, a bus carrying Sri Lanka’s cricketers was attacked by a militant group in Lahore, when the players were en route to the Gaddafi Stadium for the third day of the second Test. Seven members of the side and assistant coach Paul Farbrace were injured. Since the attack, a majority of international teams have refused to travel to Pakistan.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has, on its part, denied any knowledge of a fresh threat to the Sri Lankan team and has stressed on its commitment to provide top-notch security to the visiting side.

[caption id=”attachment_120913″ align=”alignnone” width=”800″] Regular ODI and T20I captains Dimuth Karunaratne and Lasith Malinga have opted out of the tour[/caption]

“We have seen the SLC statement, but are not privy to any information or intelligence report relating to safety of the SL team,” PCB said on Twitter.

“The PCB reiterates its commitment to provide complete safety and security to the SL side and in this relation will continue to work with the SLC.”