[REPORT] Sri Lanka's cricketers reconsidering decision to tour Pakistan

[Abdullah719]

Sri Lanka's cricketers refuse to tour Pakistan

Forty contracted players of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) have handed a letter to the board indicating that they do not wish to travel to Lahore for the last T20I against Pakistan scheduled for later this month.

The letter signed by the entire current squad and contracted players back home doesn't directly say that they do not want to go to Pakistan, but has requested the board to consider a venue change.

"SLC will have a quick chat to the players very soon. We don't intend to disturb them in middle of a series, but we are left with no option but to address the issue. The ICC also will meet the players on Saturday to brief them about the situation in Lahore," an SLC source told Cricbuzz.

All-rounder Thisara Perera is believed to have not signed the letter as he was part of the World XI side that played three-T20I series in Lahore last month.

International cricket was pulled out of Pakistan after the Sri Lankan team bus came under a terrorist attack in 2009, outisde Gadaffi Stadium in Lahore, injuring several players and support staff.

There is still a possibility that the Lahore game could be played if SLC decides to send a second string team.

"We are looking at all possibilities. Pakistan has been one our closest allies and we don't want to let them down," the source added.

http://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/97775/sri-lanka-cricket-team-players-refuse-to-tour-pakistan

 

[MenInG]

Must be some basis to this report! Not looking good for PCB atm.

 

[another drop catch]

we need to respect their decision

 

[Sherlock]

It's weird our chairmen didn't seek to ask SL beforehand. It shows the lack of foresight in trying to fit in a match in Pakistan.

It looks like a real mess now.

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

The Lankans are over doing it now for one T20 match which means a day in Lahore with presidential level security. Not to forget that recently a few successful ventures have been held there. Also the ICC seemed happy with Pak's efforts.
If the Lankans/Bangalis are acting this way do you really think that Aussies/Saffers/Englishmen will tour Pak in the upcoming 5-10 years?

Having said that it was stupid from Sethi in the first place as organizing one T20 match with this level of security will only cost the PCB. Had it been 3 or 5 games then financially the investment would have been worth it.

 

[Zaz]

Its their choice But surely their board shouldve consulted the players before agreeing to such a game

 

[Executioner]

SLC should have consulted the players before making the decision.
Remember, its all about the players and not what the cricket board wants

 

[Shafi]

Good for us to save some money if possible from corrupt Chairman and governing body

 

[ToeCrusher2]

Good, better be safe than sorry

 

[Markhor]

For those who'll start cursing Sri Lanka for this - bear in mind they ALL cricket nations are understandably going to be the most cautious given what happened last time.

 

[Hamza78]

Stupid I remember in 1996 no other team wants to go Sri Lanka only Pakistan and India go there first no respect for them no more if they don’t go

 

[princeuk]

Stupid I remember in 1996 no other team wants to go Sri Lanka only Pakistan and India go there first no respect for them no more if they don’t go

Yep, Pakistan have always been loyal to a fault with Sri Lanka.

 

[ExpressPacer]

Good, better be safe than sorry

True, but considering a few cricket matches have gone down smoothly in the last year, I think a 12 hour stay in Pakistan with presidential security shouldn't be too hard.

 

[Rana]

respect the player's decision yes, but its honestly getting to the point of cowardice. PCB has held a few events their (lahore) now and all of them have been under presidential security measures offering large incentives. I mean, what more do you want? We are practically risking the lives of a hundred Pakistanis for one Sri Lankan yet they feel so unsafe sitting in their hotels in Dubai

 

[Bengaluru]

The Lankans are over doing it now for one T20 match which means a day in Lahore with presidential level security. Not to forget that recently a few successful ventures have been held there. Also the ICC seemed happy with Pak's efforts.
If the Lankans/Bangalis are acting this way do you really think that Aussies/Saffers/Englishmen will tour Pak in the upcoming 5-10 years?

Having said that it was stupid from Sethi in the first place as organizing one T20 match with this level of security will only cost the PCB. Had it been 3 or 5 games then financially the investment would have been worth it.

Are the lives of Lankans and Banglas less in value than Aussies and Englishmen?

 

[Jave]

Blessing in disguise no need to waste money on them and have entire city in lockdown

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

Understandable as Sri Lanka was the country who got attacked in 2009 and few players like Lakmal were part of that team.

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

Are the lives of Lankans and Banglas less in value than Aussies and Englishmen?

in fact it means that we have had brotherly relations with Lankans/Bangalis the reason one expects more help from these boards. Teams like Aussies always had that different attitude with Pakistan (PCB).

 

[SM1989]

Cancel all future tours to Sri Lanka. Very disappointing that the players can't see that the situation has improved

 

[Titan24]

While Sangakarra has signed a contract of PSL which includes playing matches in Pakistan, so is his life or life of Thissara Parera who played last month any less valuable?

Pretty nonsense behavior from srilankan cricket team to be honest.

 

[hadi123]

Guys, we should respect Sri Lanka's decision. After what happened to them last time it is understandable, some of the players will have spoken to players on that bus that was shot and it must have been traumatizing. I do hope it still goes ahead though.

 

[Jave]

While Sangakarra has signed a contract of PSL which includes playing matches in Pakistan, so is his life or life of Thissara Parera who played last month any less valuable?

Pretty nonsense behavior from srilankan cricket team to be honest.

Who said PSL is going to play 'matches' in Pakistan? I think just final would be held in Lahore or Karachi

 

[Titan24]

Who said PSL is going to play 'matches' in Pakistan? I think just final would be held in Lahore or Karachi

8 matches are to be held in Pakistan as per Najam Sethi and management and that is the reason its inlcuded in the contract this time around

 

[Enigma_]

This is disgusting behaviour by the Sri Lankan players. If they didn't want to play in Lahore why not state this before the series even went ahead? Probably wanted the paychecks before this cowardly move.

 

[Titan24]

Guys, we should respect Sri Lanka's decision. After what happened to them last time it is understandable, some of the players will have spoken to players on that bus that was shot and it must have been traumatizing. I do hope it still goes ahead though.

I agree but its not like a sudden news to the players, they must have known or atleast heard before travelling to UAE that last T20 is gonna be played in Lahore.

As it was all in the news and stuff, why to start showing their reluctance now? They could have done it before leaving for UAE and have discussed it with their board.

 

[Titan24]

This is disgusting behaviour by the Sri Lankan players. If they didn't want to play in Lahore why not state this before the series even went ahead? Probably wanted the paychecks before this cowardly move.

Exactly! Whats the point of crying like babies now and signing petitions or whatever. They could have told earlier and saved themselves and their board from embarrassment

 

[hadi123]

Guys, the Third T20I was always subject to security clearance, it's not like Sri Lanka are bailing on us now.

 

[Titan24]

Guys, the Third T20I was always subject to security clearance, it's not like Sri Lanka are bailing on us now.

Security clearance has already been given by ICC I guess and that is the reason they are going to give security briefings to SLC team.

 

[Enigma_]

Guys, the Third T20I was always subject to security clearance, it's not like Sri Lanka are bailing on us now.

Wrong. ICC are impressed with the previous arrangements and agreed to send ICC officials for the first time.

 

[hadi123]

Wrong. ICC are impressed with the previous arrangements and agreed to send ICC officials for the first time.

Yes but this was still always TBC. I'm not shocked, questions marks had still been remaining just like there are for the WI tour

 

[Enigma_]

Yes but this was still always TBC. I'm not shocked, questions marks had still been remaining just like there are for the WI tour

But why would they put on this drama half way through the tour? Bet you that they got their pay checks the other day and now have decided to abandon. That's gutless.

 

[ExpressPacer]

Are the lives of Lankans and Banglas less in value than Aussies and Englishmen?

No but Lankans/Banglas being Asians and neighbours understand our situation better. So do India, and I personally think had we been on the same terms as we are with Eng, Aus, Lanka - India would have toured.

 

[Rana]

Guys, the Third T20I was always subject to security clearance, it's not like Sri Lanka are bailing on us now.

What could have drastically gone wrong since the world XI tour for Sri Lanka not to consider Lahore as a safe venue?

 

[hadi123]

What could have drastically gone wrong since the world XI tour for Sri Lanka not to consider Lahore as a safe venue?

Exactly, nothing major has happened but I still would respect their decision, it's easy for us to say they should go but these people have families and if other Sri Lankan cricketers were attacked it's understandable to be scared to go back to a place like that where some of your friends/team mates came so close to death.

 

[Arham_PakFan]

Their concerns are understandable although disappointing.

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

Cancel all future tours to Sri Lanka. Very disappointing that the players can't see that the situation has improved

That's the thing. There is no reason for them not to go to Lahore for one day. Had this been a year or two back then I would have understood it, but this is unfair to the Pakistani nation. In fact Pakistan isn't even making money from that one T20 it's purely there for the progress of cricket in Pakistan. Lanka's contribution would be really appreciated.

I really hope Perera can convince them otherwise it will send a wrong signal to other teams like the West Indies.

 

[Specialisttailender]

What could have drastically gone wrong since the world XI tour for Sri Lanka not to consider Lahore as a safe venue?

Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad are all the same to rest of the world.

 

[waleed88]

I'm pretty sure SL players still have PTSD from those attacks, that was a horrific incident in its own right. No way would I thought it would be that easy, as Najam Sethi made it sound like

 

[waleed88]

While Sangakarra has signed a contract of PSL which includes playing matches in Pakistan, so is his life or life of Thissara Parera who played last month any less valuable?

Pretty nonsense behavior from srilankan cricket team to be honest.

Why is it nonsense? They have a right to object any decision that puts their life in danger.

 

[down4whatever]

What did people expect? Gotta pay bags of money for people to even consider touring.

 

[MightyObnoxious]

Some journalist on twitter saying 20 of the 40 players contacted b y SLC willing to come to Pakistan. Final decision on Monday.

 

[MenInG]

Sri Lanka's cricket board is reconsidering plans to play a match against Pakistan in Lahore later this month after its players expressed security concerns, officials said Saturday.

Sri Lanka are currently scheduled to play their third Twenty20 match in the series in Lahore on October 29, just over eight years after its team was ambushed by gunmen in the same city.

If it goes ahead, the match would be the first played in Pakistan by Sri Lanka -- or any other top international team -- since militants ambushed its team bus en route to the Lahore stadium in 2009, wounding at least seven players.

But the board cast doubt on its team's return to the country Saturday, saying it would study security assessments provided by both Sri Lanka and Pakistan governments as well as independent reports and possibly make a decision Monday, an official said.

"A few players have expressed reservations, but about 20 players (out of 40 contracted by the board) have confirmed their willingness to play in Lahore," the board official told AFP.

"A final decision is likely to be taken on Monday."

Under the current schedule, Lahore would host the Twenty20 series finale following earlier matches between the sides played in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where Pakistan have played their "home" internationals since the ambush.

Since 2009 the only international team to visit Pakistan is Zimbabwe, who played five limited-overs games in Lahore in 2015.

But after Pakistan successfully staged the final of its domestic Pakistan Super League tournament in Lahore under heavy security this March, the country hoped international games could once again be played there.

A successful series against a World XI team featuring top foreign players in Lahore last month further boosted calls for cricket to return to the militancy-racked nation.

Sri Lanka Cricket chief Thilanga Sumathipala in August appealed for an end to Pakistan's isolation -- a statement welcomed by Pakistani cricket officials -- and urged countries to play there.

He recalled that several Test nations did not want to visit Sri Lanka at the height of the Tamil separatist conflict, when bombs were exploding in the capital in the mid-1990s, but Pakistan and India had toured Sri Lanka at the time.

https://cricket.yahoo.com/news/cricket-sri-lanka-reconsiders-pakistan-tour-decision-142118790.html

 

[Gabbar Singh]

The PCB need to make the prospect of playing in Lahore more appealing for SL and that means $s. Offer all touring team members $50,000 USD and see what the reaction is.

You will already be spending millions on presidential level security so what difference will another half a million or so make.

 

[another drop catch]

Really hope cricket returns to pakistan and at the same time we neet to respect whatever the decision made by sri lanka

 

[Mamoon]

Sri Lanka is the last team we should be criticizing for not showing willingness to tour. After what happened in 2009, they would be fully justified to never tour.

 

[Markhor]

This is disgusting behaviour by the Sri Lankan players. If they didn't want to play in Lahore why not state this before the series even went ahead? Probably wanted the paychecks before this cowardly move.

Cancel all future tours to Sri Lanka. Very disappointing that the players can't see that the situation has improved

If you and your teammates were sprayed with bullets and inches away from death despite being promised "Presidential, foolproof security" then you'd take little stock in these reports of improvements and would be singing a different tune.

BTW we've no relations with India, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and now you want to cancel series with Sri Lanka. Not many teams left in Asia to play with if we're going to take these belligerent stances.

 

[CanadianG00se]

What could have drastically gone wrong since the world XI tour for Sri Lanka not to consider Lahore as a safe venue?

No fat paycheck this time around, thats where it went wrong

 

[Mp812]

Not concerned about what iss writers nationality but the twisted title n the indian-based cricbuzz website and their using the word 'refuse'. Issue is with the news 'manipulation'.

Request is fist step towards eventual refusal. Manners. If requested request is not granted there exists option of refusal.

 

[MABA]

I can bet if Pakistan was offering SL players money to play in Pak they would not hesitate. This is where paying players to pay in Pakistan has come back to bite. Now every touring playing would be expecting extra money to play in Pakistan.

 

[Rana]

20 are willing to play, I don't think they should cancel.

 

[Savak]

They say man proposes, god disposes. In life we can only try our best and do the best we can with what we can control. The PCB has done its best to bring international cricket back to Pakistan, they held a successful PSL in Dubai, they held the PSL final in Lahore, they arranged for a World 11 T-20 series in Pakistan and provided the best possible security and hospitality to the Foreigners, they arranged a successful Zimbabwe T-20 and ODI series in Pakistan in 2015.

These are all the things that the international community, the ICC and other Cricketing boards and fans were demanding that the PCB do. Sadly it is still not good enough.

The PCB should just continue doing their best and thats it.

 

[JattMaula]

The PCB need to make the prospect of playing in Lahore more appealing for SL and that means $s. Offer all touring team members $50,000 USD and see what the reaction is.

You will already be spending millions on presidential level security so what difference will another half a million or so make.

Can't keep doing that forever.

 

[Titan24]

Why is it nonsense? They have a right to object any decision that puts their life in danger.

Lol! Dude there is a time for you to object, objecting when ship has already sailed is only gonna cause embarrassment.

Yes its their right but, they should have used it before everything was being finalized. Dont tell me that it was a surprise for them and they didnt know anything.

That is where the nonsense word comes in to describe their behaviour.

 

[waleed88]

Lol! Dude there is a time for you to object, objecting when ship has already sailed is only gonna cause embarrassment.

Yes its their right but, they should have used it before everything was being finalized. Dont tell me that it was a surprise for them and they didnt know anything.

That is where the nonsense word comes in to describe their behaviour.

Players and cricketing boards don't get along on all the issues, it is their right to voice. Maybe the boards never consulted the players

 

[Specialisttailender]

Yesterday they were reluctant but today they are okay ? What is the chance that they weren't threatened ? SL is already the worst Test member, why send a 3rd stringed team just to show rest of the world that "not everyone feels comfortable playing even with presidential security". That is not even progress.

 

[Kianig89]

So what did we achieved from World 11 tour and intact it just happened a month ago

 

[CanadianG00se]

I asked in ICC WORLD XI thread that what happens when PCB stop offering monetary benefits to players, would they still visit?

I supposed we got our answer now.

PCB started a wrong trend by inviting players with fat paycheck. Now, every visiting players would be expecting a considerable amount of cash from PCB in order to tour Pakistan. One way or the other, its a lose lose thing for PCB.

 

[Eagle_Eye]

Really crapy behaviour from srilankans players to cause bad feelings amongst friends. if they had objections in coming then make known to the board prior to the series start so that pcb and Sri Lankan board dont look like lemons and they would have organised all the matches in UAE....

Just go ahead with players willing to play and tick off the rest for any future psl contracts.

 

[Hermoine Green]

No point, they should not come.

 

[Cuts_and_cuts_hard]

Posts using words like cowardice to describe the Sri Lankans' decisions. Absolutely idiotic

They were sprayed with bullets last time they went. Even though personnel have changed, the concern is still understandable. They were clearly not properly consulted by their board. Respect their decision. They have no obligation to tour any nation, least of all a country where they almost lost their lives the last time they came.