"Family comes first for me" : Nic Pothas on opting out of travelling to Lahore for SL vs PAK T20I

[Abdullah719]

"Family comes first for me" : Nic Pothas on opting out of travelling to Lahore for SL vs PAK T20I

Sri Lanka's Head Coach Nic Pothas has justified his decision to not to travel to Lahore for the last game of the ongoing bilateral series against Pakistan later this month. The former South African wicketkeeper batsman and the team's physiotherapist Nirmalan Dhanabalasingham joined seven other Sri Lankan players in not touring to Lahore for the T20I.

The players' decision to not to travel to Lahore made them ineligible for the entire series as Sri Lanka Cricket had earlier announced that one squad will play the all three games of the T20I series. The first two games will take place in Abu Dhabi.

"It was a family decision. My family is not very happy about me going. For me my family comes first," Pothas told Cricbuzz. "Everyone get a chance to make their own decisions. No one should be forced to do anything that they are not comfortable with. It was not an easy decision to make. It has to be respected," Pothas added.

"Some Pakistani media earlier today reminded me that several South Africans had gone to Lahore last month for the World XI games. It was their decision. Their decision doesn't influence my decision. Ideally the Board wanted everyone to go. But no one pressurised me to do anything," Pothas added.

Pothas, however, is expected to stay with the team for the Abu Dhabi game and someone within the coaching staff is expected to take charge for the last game. Fast Bowling Coach Rumesh Ratnayake had a brief stint as Sri Lanka's Head Coach in 2011. There is also former captain Hashan Thilakaratne, currently the team's batting coach, who could take over the side in Pakistan.

http://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-new...me-nic-pothas-sri-lanka-tour-of-pakistan-t20i

 

[ahmedwaqas92]

Why am I not surprised by this ??

 

[kingusama92]

It's his decision.

It's best to focus on those who are coming because they deserve the limelight.

 

[giri26]

His decision and it needs to be respected. He is not comfortable travelling, so be it.

 

[coy0607]

no need to dramatize is so much. If he doesn't want to go, just shut up and move on

 

[King-Misbah]

Family comes first as if he is entering a war lol. I am a British Pakistani and roam Pakistan freely; Pakistan really needs to focus on its PR.

 

[kingusama92]

Family comes first as if he is entering a war lol. I am a British Pakistani and roam Pakistan freely;

I'm afraid, you're biased.

January 20th: Parachinar Blast (25 People Killed)
February 13th: Lahore Blast at Provincial Assembly (14 People Dead Including DIG Police)
February 15th: Hyatabad Blast (2 Dead)
February 15th: Mohmand Agency Blast (5 Dead)
February 16th: Sehwan Blast (88 Dead)
February 21st: Tangi Attack (7 Dead)
March 31st: Parinichar Attack (25 Dead)
June 23rd: Parinichar Attack (75 Dead)
July 24th: Lahore Blast (25 Dead)

This is Pakistan. I've left out at least 5-10 other attacks in the same year.

Lahore itself has been attacked twice in 2017!

People try to get around this by stating certain areas of PAK are under risk but that's not how things work in a foreigner's mind. If things are falling apart in Barcelona, I'm not going to say "it's okay, I'll head to Madrid and it's all good." I would avoid Spain as a whole.

Now add the fact SL's cricket team was attacked in 2009 and it makes sense a person would be apprehensive.

Those who are coming deserve tremendous respect. Those who are not coming deserve respect for their decision too.

 

[Syed1]

Yes as if he was being asked to go to a war zone. If he didn't want to go should have just said it no need to make such a drama about it. It's not like his side would pose any challenge to us anyway.

 

[King-Misbah]

I'm afraid, you're biased.

January 20th: Parachinar Blast (25 People Killed)
February 13th: Lahore Blast at Provincial Assembly (14 People Dead Including DIG Police)
February 15th: Hyatabad Blast (2 Dead)
February 15th: Mohmand Agency Blast (5 Dead)
February 16th: Sehwan Blast (88 Dead)
February 21st: Tangi Attack (7 Dead)
March 31st: Parinichar Attack (25 Dead)
June 23rd: Parinichar Attack (75 Dead)
July 24th: Lahore Blast (25 Dead)

This is Pakistan. I've left out at least 5-10 other attacks in the same year.

Lahore itself has been attacked twice in 2017!

People try to get around this by stating certain areas of PAK are under risk but that's not how things work in a foreigner's mind. If things are falling apart in Barcelona, I'm not going to say "it's okay, I'll head to Madrid and it's all good." I would avoid Spain as a whole.

Now add the fact SL's cricket team was attacked in 2009 and it makes sense a person would be apprehensive.

Those who are coming deserve tremendous respect. Those who are not coming deserve respect for their decision too.

I have been to Barcelona too less then two weeks ago. People are quick to make a fuss; after all millions of people live in the same cities. It's still not a war zone and presidental level security will be provided and this security has been showcased in recent months.

Some people are just too fearful I guess.

 

[kingusama92]

I have been to Barcelona too less then two weeks ago. People are quick to make a fuss; after all millions of people live in the same cities. It's still not a war zone and presidental level security will be provided and this security has been showcased in recent months.

Some people are just too fearful I guess.

Those blasts I listed above, the people who died were living in Pakistan too.

How'd that go for them?

The PCB is putting in a lot of hard work and it's starting to pay off. Over time less and less foreigners will say no to visiting.

Until then, it's best to focus on those who are visiting rather than feeling sour about a person opting out.

 

[fawad_wellwisher]

It hurts if you are a Pakistani when you hear foreigner not wanting to come to your country. But the reality is that things are not that simple and even if the security situation in Pakistan has improved, in the minds of many, it is still the same.

Best to respect his decision and focus on promoting the image of Pakistan by focusing on those foreigners that are willing to lend their support.

 

[Itachi]

I am a British Pakistani and roam Pakistan freely;

Difference between you and him. He isn't a Pakistani.

A land is safer for the local people or for atleast people who has similar face to the locals in the crowd.

Being a foreigner may attract unnecessary attention which you will be free from because you have a family tree that originates there.

 

[Madplayer]

Those blasts I listed above, the people who died were living in Pakistan too.

How'd that go for them?

The PCB is putting in a lot of hard work and it's starting to pay off. Over time less and less foreigners will say no to visiting.

Until then, it's best to focus on those who are visiting rather than feeling sour about a person opting out.

The common Pakistanis who died were not given presidential level security.

I respect this guy's decision. No questions there. The problem i have with his statement is that he is making it sound like he was asked to enter a war zone on his own. A bit dramatic from him tbh. Could have simply said its a family decision and leave it at that.

 

[another drop catch]

It looks like he was keen on travelling lahore but misses out due to his priorities towards family