SL Squad arrives in Pakistan

AFP - Sri Lanka’s depleted National Cricket Squad arrived in Pakistan yesterday expressing confidence in security promises by the hosts despite reports that the team could be targeted by militants.

Ten senior players citing security concerns have opted out of the tour, comprising three one-day internationals and three Twenty20 matches, beginning on Friday.  The Captain of the Twenty20 Squad, Dasun Shanaka, said he had no misgivings about returning to Pakistan after they played a Twenty20 International in Lahore in October 2017, their first since the 2009 attack.  “I have been there before,” Shanaka told reporters just before the team left Colombo.  “I am satisfied with the security arranged for us and I am happy to lead my team to Pakistan. We hope to give a good fight to our very strong hosts.”  ODI Skipper Lahiru Thirimanne said he also had no concerns and they had been given assurances of a very high degree of protection in Pakistan, usually reserved for visits by heads of state.

Sri Lanka’s cricket board received the all-clear from the defence ministry last week to go ahead with the tour after establishing that there was no threat.