Sri Lanka cricket team gets 'green light' from defence ministry for Pakistan tour

[Abdullah719]

Sri Lanka's cricket board Thursday said it will go ahead with its tour of Pakistan despite fears that players could be the targets of terror attacks during the six-match visit.

Sri Lanka Cricket Secretary Mohan de Silva said they received the all-clear from the defence ministry to leave for Pakistan on Tuesday.

"We have the green light from the defence ministry," de Silva told AFP.

"The tour is on as we planned. I myself and our office bearers will also be accompanying the team."

Reports last week of a possible terror attack were referred to the defence ministry for investigation.

The Sri Lanka team was the target of an attack during a Test match in Pakistan's Lahore in March 2009, with six players injured when gunmen attacked their bus.

Six Pakistan policemen and two civilians were killed.

Since the attack, a majority of international teams have refused to tour the South Asian country.

Sri Lanka's first match in Lahore after that was one T20 game against Pakistan in October 2017.

De Silva visited Pakistan last month along with a security consultant to check out the arrangements made by the hosts.

"They have promised security reserved for a head of state," de Silva said.

The six-match tour, due to start on September 27, was put on hold last week after the Sri Lanka prime minister's office warned the board it had unspecified information about a possible attack against its players.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said it was not aware of any information relating to the safety of the Sri Lankan team, but reiterated its commitment to providing security.

Ten senior players opted out of the tour citing security concerns.

Sri Lanka has already announced two squads for the three one-day internationals and the three T20 matches.

https://www.news18.com/cricketnext/...kistan-tour-despite-terror-fears-2315381.html

 

[SensiblePakFan]

All the haters who thought this wouldn't happen

 

[saeed5646]

Excellent news .

Last odi played in karachi was in jan 2009 between pakistan and SL.This is huge development for city of lights considering where karachi was in 2009

 

[MenInG]

Media Release

19th September, 2019

UPDATE 2: Sri Lanka Tour of Pakistan

Sri Lanka Cricket wishes to announce that the forthcoming Sri Lanka National Team’s tour of Pakistan will go ahead as planned, following assurances given by the Government of Pakistan that it will provide maximum security arrangements for the team during their entire duration of stay in Pakistan.

Furthermore, the Major General (Rtd.) J. R. Kulathunga, National Intelligence Head, on behalf of the Secretary of the Ministry of Defense of Sri Lanka confirmed that no information has been received by the Ministry of Defence through any Intelligence Agency indicating a threat to the Sri Lanka National Team or to the said tour.

It also said, no information has been received by the High Commission of Sri Lanka in Pakistan, indicating a threat to the Sri Lanka National Team or to the said tour.

The Government of Pakistan in a letter sent to the SLC via the Ministry of Telecommunications, Foreign Employment and Sport of Sri Lanka has assured the followings,

[The] Government of Pakistan will ensure highest consideration of security to [the] visiting cricket team.
[The] Pakistan Army will coordinate the security arrangements.
Security protocol will be compatible to [a] Head of State.

Accordingly, Sri Lanka tour of Pakistan 2019, will proceed as approved at the SLC Executive Committee meetings held on 22nd August and 16th September 2019.

http://cricket.lk/2019/09/19/sri-lanka-tour-of-pakistan-to-go-ahead-as-planned/

 

[Realromeo]

All the haters who thought this wouldn't happen

Only recognizable players like Mathews, Malinga, Lakmal are staying. Only unknown guys that haven't secured their spot are going. This is like SL C team considering their main team already plays like the B team.

 

[Sunny_majoka]

Only recognizable players like Mathews, Malinga, Lakmal are staying. Only unknown guys that haven't secured their spot are going. This is like SL C team considering their main team already plays like the B team.

It doesn't heart the cause though

 

[MenInG]

KARACHI: As Sri Lanka are scheduled to play three One-day Internationals in Karachi with the first match on Sept 27, the security administration in the metropolis has envisaged a detailed security plan to provide the visiting squad status of state guests.

The Sri Lankans would be receiving security protocol given to head of state that would lead to strict measures and alternative traffic plans for the Karachiites for at least three days, officials sources said on Thursday.

The security administration and the authorities have already finalised their plans to ensure smooth and uninterrupted staging of international cricket that would take a week to complete before the Sri Lankans head to Lahore for the three Twenty20 Internationals.

“The administration is repeating the same security proposal for the Sri Lankan cricketers and officials it had designed for the Pakistan Super League matches in February and March this year,” said a source privy to security arrangements. “The team members and officials will have status of state guests while security protocols of head of state would be followed for the foreign players and staff. It requires certain measures few of which include VVIP protocol at the airport, zero traffic during their movement, air security cover during movement and matches and air evacuation plan.”

The officials from both the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and security apparatus are giving final touches to the arrangements for the upcoming matches which bring international cricketers back in the city less than six months after the PSL final was played in March.

“Primarily the security job would be handled by the Sindh Police and Pakistan Rangers,” the source said. “The troops of Pakistan army would also be there for assistance and backup support. The units of paramilitary Rangers would be deployed at certain place while the police commandos — known as the Special Security Unit — would be assigned close protection. The movement of the cricketers and officials would be highly secured and swift.”

However, he brushed aside any concern or impression of security nuisance for any segment s of the society or visiting foreigners as the plan would be executed in a way which would not affect people’s routine and regular life.

“There would be blockades of certain roads and comprehensive alternate traffic plan but it doesn’t mean that it would move the city life upside down,” he said and referred to successfully-concluded mega events in the city in the recent past to support his argument. “For last several years we have been hosting the mega cricket events which witnessed arrival of hundreds of international cricketers, foreign delegates and known personalities around the world in Karachi.

“Since PSL-3 final in March 2018, we had organised major cricketing events in the city which include the three-match T20 series against the West Indies in April 2018, the West Indies women’s team matches last January and eight matches of PSL-4 in the city this year.”

https://www.dawn.com/news/1506150/local-administration-vows-foolproof-security-for-visitors

 

[Saj]

Australia star David Boon has been appointed by the ICC as match referee for the upcoming Pakistan versus Sri Lanka ODI and T20I series to be played in Karachi and Lahore from 27 to 9 October.

Boon, 58, played 107 Tests and 181 ODIs for Australia from 1984 to 1996 and has been on the ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees since 2011.

In Karachi, Boon played two Tests scoring 151 runs. He scored 76 runs in two Tests and 132 runs in four ODIs at the Gaddafi Stadium.

As an ICC official, he has refereed in 135 ODIs and 51 T20Is. He returns to Karachi after refereeing in the three-match T2oI series between Pakistan and West Indies in 2018.

Apart from Boon, the ICC has also appointed Michael Gough and Joel Wilson, both from the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires, for the ODIs. Gough had visited Karachi earlier this year for HBL Pakistan Super League 2019, which proved to be one of the most successful events in its short history.

Aleem Dar, also from the elite panel, has been appointed by the Pakistan Cricket Board as a home umpire for the 2 October third ODI as well as all the three T20Is to be played in Lahore on 5, 7 and 9 October.

Ahsan Raza, Shozab Raza and Asif Yaqoob, all from the ICC Panel of International Umpires, will also be action during the forthcoming series.

The following are the umpire and match referee appointments:

27 September – 1st ODI, National Stadium, Karachi. Joel Wilson and Ahsan Raza (on-field umpires), Michael Gough (third umpire), Rashid Riaz (fourth umpire); David Boon (match referee)

29 September – 2nd ODI, National Stadium, Karachi. Michael Gough and Shozab Raza (on-field umpires), Joel Wilson (third umpire), Ahsan Raza (fourth umpire); David Boon (match referee)

2 October – 3rd ODI, National Stadium, Karachi. Aleem Dar and Joel Wilson (on-field umpires), Michael Gough (third umpire), Asif Yaqoob (fourth umpire); David Boon (match referee)

5 October – 1st T20I, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. Aleem Dar and Ahsan Raza (on-field umpires), Shozab Raza (third umpire), Asif Yaqoob (fourth umpire); David Boon (match referee)

7 October – 2nd T20I, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. Aleem Dar and Asif Yaqoob (on-field umpires), Ahsan Raza (third umpire), Shozab Raza (fourth umpire); David Boon (match referee)

9 October – 3rd T20I, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. Aleem Dar and Shozab Raza (on-field umpires), Asif Yaqoob (third umpire), Tariq Rasheed (fourth umpire); David Boon (match referee).

 

[The Viper]

Commissioner Karachi reviews arrangements at NSK for SL series

KARACHI: Commissioner Karachi Iftikhar Shallwani on Friday visited the National Stadium and reviewed the arrangements for the upcoming One-day Internationals series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka which will commence here from Sept 27.

The Commissioner also held a meeting at the stadium’s conference room which was attended among others by Deputy Commissioner East Ahmed Ali Siddiqui, DIG East Amir Farooqi, PCB representative and NSK General Manager Arshad Khan, senior officials of Pakistan Rangers as well as of the civic agencies.

It was decided in the meeting that foolproof security arrangement will be made during the series. The Commissioner said that special measures are being taken to make the matches safe, successful and memorable. “The surroundings of the National Stadium and different areas as well roads and intersections of the metropolis will be decorated,” he said. “Karachi has been declared a cricket city and hopefully the city is going to have more cricket and good matches.”

He added that the Pakistan Super League matches held earlier this year and now the one day series with Sri Lanka would give the world a positive message that Karachiites love cricket and is a great venue for sports.

The meeting was informed that special parking arrangements were being made for which spaces have been identified. Deputy Commissioner East Ahmed Ali Siddiqui assured the meeting that people would be facilitated and steps would be taken for their convenience. He further told the meeting that shuttle service would be provided on this occasion to facilitate people.

It was also decided that the images of cricket heroes will be displayed at different parts of the city and festivity programmes would be organised throughout the metropolis.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1506371

 

[SensiblePakFan]

Good to see the ICC finally stepping up.

 

[MenInG]

KARACHI: The deputy chairman of the ICC Imran Khwaja will witnesses the first Twenty20 between Pakistan and Sri Lanka, scheduled in Lahore on Oct 5.

The arrival of other cricket boards’ dignitaries in Lahore for the Twenty20 games might get hampered due to the possible shift of venue for next month’s International Cricket Council (ICC) Board meeting from Sydney to Dubai.

However, Imran has confirmed his attendance for the Twenty20.

Earlier this month, Cricket Australia chief executive Kevin Roberts also visited Islamabad as part of a trust-building campaign between the two countries. A cricket series is slated to be held between Pakistan and Australia in Pakistan in 2022. Roberts was also accompanied by CA’s head of security Sean Carroll.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1507868/icc-deputy-chairman-to-witness-lahore-t20-against-sl

 

[Abdullah719]

SL Sports Minister Harin Fernando: "SL has a large Muslim community and we believe in harmony. We want to thank the PCB. When we had a situation in April, they sent a U19 team to SL when things weren't settled down there. That was an act of solidarity that was shown by the Pakistanis, even though we had to go through a similar situation 10 years ago. Some players were still in shock and didn't want to play but we as a cricket board, sports ministry and govt. decided that as long as the security is perfect and the PCB is taking care of our boys, we shouldn't be worried. I myself wanted to come to show we were supporting the boys. It's a good opportunity for some young players to play here, who have been knocking on the door for selection."

 

[MenInG]

KARACHI: A full bilateral One-day International cricket series finally kicking off at the National Stadium Karachi after a decade was not only about the game itself.

It also represented the gradual progress Pakistan has made in the recent years to ensure international cricket’s full return to the country since the attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in 2009.

It is the same country which is now helping the hosts achieve their targets by agreeing to play three ODIs in Karachi and as many T20s in Lahore.

“Cricket has become a universal game and it is not all about competitiveness only but also a tool to show solidarity amongst the neighbouring nations,” said Sri Lankan Sports Minister Harin Fernando in a joint press conference with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ehsan Mani, his Sri Lankan counterpart Shammi Silva and Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) secretary Mohan de Silva here at the National Stadium on Monday as the two teams competed in front of a scattered yet pumped up crowd during the series’ second ODI.

Fernando specially mentioned the long-standing good relations between the two countries and thanked Pakistan for sending their Under-19 side to play against Sri Lanka within two months after the country’s capital Colombo was targeted by terrorists which obviously played a big part in the Islanders agreeing to tour here.

“I want to thank the Pakistan cricket board for sending their U-19 team when things weren’t even settled in Sri Lanka following the attacks. That was an act of solidarity shown by Pakistan to Sri Lanka,” Fernando admitted.

He expressed satisfaction with the security that has been provided to the Sri Lankan team for the tour and said the arrangements, which he came to see himself, are of the highest standard. The minister said as long as the security is good there is no question of the Sri Lankan team not visiting Pakistan.

“Even though we had to go through a tough situation in Lahore about ten years ago, and some players are still in shock, the Sri Lanka’s sports ministry, the SLC and the government decided that as long as the security is perfect and as long as Pakistan is taking care of our boys we will send them,” Fernando said referring to the 2009 attack.

“The command and control system at the stadium is high tech and it’s amazing how its’ capable of covering every aspect and being able to monitor every person getting in and out of the ground,” he added.

With ten Sri Lankan senior team players opting out of the tour citing security concerns, the visitors have fielded a depleted side and there have been questions about that affecting the quality of competition in the series.

However, Fernando said, that the players who have decided to visit Pakistan are well-equipped and are not second eleven or ‘A’ team players and that the series provides for them as an opportunity to perform well and threaten the senior players’ place in the team.

“The players who have not opted to come have their fears, especially due to what happened in 2009, and the concerns of their families should be considered too,” Fernando said.

With Pakistan and Sri Lanka set to play two Tests later this year, there have been speculations whether the latter will visit Pakistan for the longer format or not. Fernando, however, said the players visiting currently will surely tell the others about their experience in Pakistan and will try to convince them.

With the ICC Test Championship now underway, Sri Lanka will look to field their best team and therefore there is no certainty that they will visit again.

“Security wise we don’t need to think twice. But keeping in mind the Test championship, we have to see if three or four of our important players are willing to come because 2009 is still in our mind. If all the players agree we will definitely come,” SLC president Shammi Silva said while Fernando echoed his views.

Mohan de Silva also put on recorded his confidence with the security arrangements. The SLC secretary general visited with the country’s security delegation before the tour and assessed Pakistan’s plans for the visitors’ safety. “When we came to Pakistan earlier to assess the security arrangements, the relevant personnel showed us their presentations. The important thing is implementation and I think what was promised has been delivered,” he said.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1508329/sl-sports-minister-satisfied-with-security-arrangements