Sri Lanka averts under-currents, political row

By Callistus Davy
Sri Lanka may have staved off what could have snowballed into a diplomatic row as it was reported that a group of cricketers had either revolted or feared they could become victims of a bomb explosion during their current tour of Pakistan that also drove anxiety in political circles that the tentacles of geo-politics was set to engulf the island.
By late night on Wednesday the telephones of media personnel kept buzzing with speculation that India or the influence of its T20 Premier League had prompted some players or their private keepers to go against Pakistan over security following a deadly bomb blast and thwart the remaining two ODIs and a subsequent Triangular series.
By early morning of Thursday it became evident that an under-current may have been at work and that all was not well with Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) finally issuing a media statement warning that any player or team official found guilty of causing discontent among the team or sabotaging the tour citing security fears would be firmly dealt with.
“Should any player or member of the touring party decide to return to Sri Lanka despite the directive issued by SLC to continue with the tour, Sri Lanka Cricket will immediately send replacements to ensure that the tour continues. 
“If any player, players or member of the support staff return (to Sri Lanka), a formal review will be conducted to assess their actions and an appropriate decision will be made upon the conclusion of the review”, SLC said in its statement 
By afternoon on Thursday SLC issued a further statement saying the 16-member players’ squad and support staff had decided to continue with the tour following safety assurances given by them (SLC), the Pakistan Cricket Board and its government meaning the second ODI will be played today.
According to former players the whole episode concerning the players currently on tour and reports on social media of a disruption has re-opened the saga of a system that is still grasping for accountability and credibility while the think-tanks carry on with impunity behind the power of money and influence that offers plenty of space for any concocted report in public circulation.
“This latest episode will take its place in history like everything else swept under the carpet without investigation” said a former player.
Sri Lanka was one of the first countries to end a near 10-year isolation of Pakistan from hosting international cricket by contesting a three-match T20 series with replacement players after several seniors opted out over security fears in 2018.
A then raw Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva is one of the surviving ‘replacements’ who cut his teeth on the tour.