Sri Lanka tour of Pakistan uncertain, SLC to reassess security arrangements in light of terror attack warning

The Sri Lanka tour of Pakistan which was scheduled to get underway on 27 September has been deemed uncertain after the Prime Minister’s Office of Sri Lanka was alerted of a possible terror attack on the men's team.

The Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has now opted for a reassessment of the security arrangements in Pakistan and have also asked for the government’s guidance in that.

Many prominent Sri Lankan players including Dimuth Karunaratne and Lasith Malinga, the captains of the ODI and the T20I sides, have already pulled themselves out of the tour citing security reasons.

Pakistan were banned from hosting international cricket in 2009 when the touring Sri Lankan team was attacked by terrorists as they were on their way from the team hotel to the ground. However, as international cricket resumed in Pakistan, Sri Lanka offered a helping hand by visiting the country again for a T20I game in 2017.

The SLC released an official statement for the media yesterday which stated,

“Sri Lanka Cricket today sought the assistance of the Sri Lankan Government to conduct a ‘Reassessment’ of the security situation in Pakistan ahead of the National Team’s planned tour to Pakistan.”

“The decision was taken following a warning, the SLC received from the Prime Minister’s Office, sent via the Ministry of Telecommunication, Foreign Employment and Sports.”

“Accordingly, the warning highlights that the Prime Minister’s Office has received reliable information of a possible terrorist threat on the Sri Lankan team, while touring Pakistan.”

“Hence, SLC has been advised to take extreme care, and ‘reassess’ the situation, before embarking on the said tour.”

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