ISLAMABAD: Following a detailed talk with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) management, Sri Lankan cricket team’s dilemmas about security faded and they confirmed going ahead with their tour of Pakistan.
Rumors had it that the manager of the Sri Lankan team said that some players were considering quitting the tour because of the safety issue. Nevertheless, the PCB could not just sit and wait for the series to be cancelled and thus, making a comeback move, he worked to fix the issues and get the show on the road again.
Reports point out that the PCB spared no effort in ensuring the safety of the Sri Lankan team. The board promised the visiting team that there would be tight security for the whole duration of their visit. This assurance seemingly persuaded the Sri Lankan side to keep up their series against Pakistan.
The Sri Lanka Cricket Board also said that in case any player were still to decide to leave the tour, they would make other provisions. The organization stressed out that the safety of players and staff is the most important thing to them.
After these incidents, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi gave his personal security guarantee to the Sri Lankan team, thus, it can be assumed, that it had a positive impact on their shared security arrangements.
The second ODI between Pakistan and Sri Lanka is scheduled to take place tomorrow in Rawalpindi, as planned.
Sri Lanka will be performing two more one-day matches against Pakistan and participating in a Tri-Series which is the third team in the Pakistan Cricket Board. The forthcoming ODI and the Tri-Series are of great importance for both teams as preparations for the next international tournaments.
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The current affair sheds light on how safety is essential for international sports especially, for teams that are visiting countries with a risky security situation. Both PCB and Sri Lanka Cricket are working perpetually to ensure the safety of the players and at the same time, they give full respect to the series’ integrity.
