Sri Lanka tour of Pakistan in jeopardy after warning of possible terrorist threat

[Abdullah719]

Sri Lanka‘s tour of Pakistan is be in doubt after the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) on Wednesday sought government’s assistance to reassess the security situation in Pakistan.

Ten Sri Lanka players – Lasith Malinga, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Dimuth Karunaratne. Niroshan Dickwella, Kusal Perera, Dhananjaya De Silva, Thisara Perera, Akila Dhananjaya and Suranga Lakmal – on Monday decided to give the series, which includes three T20Is and three ODIs, a miss due to security reasons.

“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,” said SLC in a media release.

“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,” added SLC.

While Karachi and Lahore host the ODI and T20I series respectively, Sri Lanka are scheduled to travel to Pakistan for a Test series that will be part of the World Test Championship.

“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,” said SLC.

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

Following ten Sri Lankan players opted out of the tour on Monday, Pakistan’s Science and Technology Minister Fawad Hussain Chaudhry on Tuesday claimed that India was responsible for the development.

“Informed sports commentators told me that India threatened SL players that they will be ousted from IPL if they don’t refuse Pak visit, this is really cheap tactic, jingoism from sports to space is something we must condemn, really cheap on the part of Indian sports authorities,” Chaudhry had tweeted.

https://www.cricketcountry.com/news...r-warning-of-possible-terrorist-threat-890420

 

[Someone]

Should cancel this tour.. no point of risking the lives of SL players.. Pakistan is not safe for International cricket and that is a fact..

 

[warcry]

yawn.
didnt india also get a terrorist threat on their tour of the west indies?

 

[hitthestump]

You can't just call off a tour because of a threat otherwise no international cricket will be played anywhere.

Assess it's credibility, assess the security around the players (which will no doubt be high level) and then make a decision.

 

[Major]

If the information is reliable, than cancel the series

Forget the players, there are innocent fans at risk.

 

[shah_1]

The tour is doomed and so is PSL

 

[Ronaldo7]

Should cancel this tour.. no point of risking the lives of SL players.. Pakistan is not safe for International cricket and that is a fact..

Says "someone"

There was a terror threat against the Indian team too in WI. Did the tour cancel?

This threat is most likely fake

 

[Khan12]

Should cancel this tour.. no point of risking the lives of SL players.. Pakistan is not safe for International cricket and that is a fact..

Another fact is that your brain cells don't seem to be working properly. Enlighten us why it's not safe rather then barking.

 

[Theo_14]

This is disappointing but hardly surprising.

 

[CricketDon]

Another fact is that your brain cells don't seem to be working properly. Enlighten us why it's not safe rather then barking.

It’s one of the unsafest countries in the world. Has terrorist organisations at large within the country. Been attacked by terrorists before. Regular bomb blasts.

 

[Mueez]

Sad news.

I hope this isn’t true.

 

[Markhor]

Cancel it. Have no interest in Sri Lanka C coming over for a meaningless limited overs series anyway.

Host PSL first then try again.

 

[Ronaldo7]

It’s one of the unsafest countries in the world. Has terrorist organisations at large within the country. Been attacked by terrorists before. Regular bomb blasts.

Regular bomb attacks in certain places restricted to the afghan border. There hasn't been a significant bomb blast in the developed regions for months.

India is in the top 10 list of the highest no. of terrorist attacks in 2018 and before anyone starts talking smack saying I'm obsessed with india. I'm not. I'm using this example because India is a country which hosts a lot of matches despite the terror threat.

Lahore is extremely safe and that's where some of the matches will take place.

So it'll be better if you actually research about this instead of spreading your ignorance

 

[MenInG]

From the PCB:

We have seen the SLC statement, but are not privy to any information or intelligence report relating to safety of the SL team.

The PCB reiterates its commitment to provide complete safety and security to the SL side and in this relation will continue to work with the SLC.

 

[Ronaldo7]

From the PCB:

We have seen the SLC statement, but are not privy to any information or intelligence report relating to safety of the SL team.

The PCB reiterates its commitment to provide complete safety and security to the SL side and in this relation will continue to work with the SLC.

We all know why Sri lanka has more info than pak about this "terror threat"

We all know who told Sri lanka about this fake threat

 

[MMHS]

This one is body blow for future of PAK hosting international cricket at home. I think, instead of wasting efforts in this regard PCB should focus on arranging entire PSL in Pakistan safe & sound.

This is not about individual players declining to tour PAK, rather the board itself is cautious. I think, until & unless PAK’s status as a high risk country to travel changed, things won’t move much further. PSL is about individuals, boards are not responsible directly (for their players’ safety), therefore it can happen.

 

[Ronaldo7]

This one is body blow for future of PAK hosting international cricket at home. I think, instead of wasting efforts in this regard PCB should focus on arranging entire PSL in Pakistan safe & sound.

This is not about individual players declining to tour PAK, rather the board itself is cautious. I think, until & unless PAK’s status as a high risk country to travel changed, things won’t move much further. PSL is about individuals, boards are not responsible directly (for their players’ safety), therefore it can happen.

You can't cancel a series just because of a so called threat.
The world cup had such threats and when india where in the windies such threats were shared too.

 

[MenInG]

You can't cancel a series just because of a so called threat.
The world cup had such threats and when india where in the windies such threats were shared too.

PCB seemed to be nonplussed about this threat so not sure what the basis is of this.

 

[Major]

From the PCB:

We have seen the SLC statement, but are not privy to any information or intelligence report relating to safety of the SL team.

The PCB reiterates its commitment to provide complete safety and security to the SL side and in this relation will continue to work with the SLC.

This is not PCBs matter of concern to be honest. This is now Interior Ministry's concern. Its their job to make sure proper security is in place.
If there will be any intelligence report, it will be Interior Ministry's final say

 

[Ronaldo7]

PCB seemed to be nonplussed about this threat so not sure what the basis is of this.

Can you please elaborate?

 

[Saj]

Got a feeling this tour won't happen or perhaps SLC are after a few more rupees.

 

[Deewana Mastana]

If PCB have any common sense they would rather call off this tour and spend that entire money on the domestic tournament/cricket and grass roots.

Get the grounds in the country in shape even for domestic standards rather than playing on outfields where there is barely any grass and players aren't ready to throw themselves on the concrete outfields because of it.

 

[Muhammad Saad]

It's a cheap tactics from India, Pak should have invited WI or Saf, SL are just India's foster child.

 

[Nov15]

Will be difficult to salvage the tour. To make matters worse, loudmouth Fawad Choudhary insinuated without proof that IPL greed was the reason 10 SL players opted out of Pakistan tour.

Now we'll see more players to opting out. PSL is doomed.

 

[zn426]

I can't help but notice that as soon as Pakistan starts doing well, getting business, getting cricket into the country, suddenly terror threats and other things start coming out of the woodwork. One would wonder where it's coming from and is bent on preventing a reestablishment of cricket in Pakistan.

 

[Titan24]

Will be difficult to salvage the tour. To make matters worse, loudmouth Fawad Choudhary insinuated without proof that IPL greed was the reason 10 SL players opted out of Pakistan tour.

Now we'll see more players to opting out. PSL is doomed.

I have heard this doomed word countless times but yet to see that happening in reality. From the first final in Pakistan of PSL to countless number of series and than last leg of PSL 2019, number of posters and people kept telling this is doomed, wont happen etc. But other than maybe timelines of the projects everything took place.

 

[mesmerizer85]

Pak foreign minister needs to visit Srilanka and take them into confidence

 

[saeed5646]

If PCB have any common sense they would rather call off this tour and spend that entire money on the domestic tournament/cricket and grass roots.

Get the grounds in the country in shape even for domestic standards rather than playing on outfields where there is barely any grass and players aren't ready to throw themselves on the concrete outfields because of it.

Genius where will all money come from ?PCB is already deprived of hosting any major event in Pakistan or any top team for that matter .The only 2 way for pcb to generate handsome money is hosting mini tour like that or depend all on psl .

Having said that if threats are genuine then pcb should hold metting with security authorities before making final call .Hopefully these are just speculations and threats are not genuine

 

[MMHS]

You can't cancel a series just because of a so called threat.
The world cup had such threats and when india where in the windies such threats were shared too.

True. But, I think it exposes the confidence level of tourists on PAK’s internal security agencies. EURO went through despite the Nice attack, but PAK has to earn it the tough way, for primarily two reasons - 1. March 09 attack on SRL team; that tour was arranged to prove PAK’s credibility (to host WC) and ICC was in PCB’s support; buffoons at PCB took it Larke Lenge style. 2. And, this is my personal view - Osama Bin Ladin lived in PAK within a mile of PAK Army Academy for 5 years with full family. It can’t happen unless a sect of PAK security agencies backing him.

It’ll be a long, tough way return for PAK, but at least things are improving.

 

[Savak]

So any random person can call a cricket board and threaten them with dire consequences to tour Pakistan.

Nice guy behaviour doesn't work. Teams need to be forced into coming to Pakistan otherwise outside extraordinary money, the players and boards will deliberately refuse to come

 

[Shazzam]

So any random person can call a cricket board and threaten them with dire consequences to tour Pakistan.

Nice guy behaviour doesn't work. Teams need to be forced into coming to Pakistan otherwise outside extraordinary money, the players and boards will deliberately refuse to come

You can’t force anybody. This is not your uncle’s factory where you can.

 

[Bleedgreen4ever]

You can’t force anybody. This is not your uncle’s factory where you can.

If they don't come Pakistan will earn the points for the WTC simple.

We should not give them the extra option of playing in UAE

 

[Saj]

Not the end of the world if this tour doesn't happen.

 

[sweep_shot]

People get too scared of terrorists. Terror attacks can happen anywhere. Calling off tour is stupid. These players are getting high protection.

 

[Ronaldo7]

You can’t force anybody. This is not your uncle’s factory where you can.

It's not their uncle's factory either.
They have to go where their board tells them to go.

 

[Hyperion66]

Tour should be canceled if the news is true, terrorists already attacked Sri Lankan players with impunity in the past why should SL board risk the lives of the players again?

People blaming SL board and players here need to understand that when you have to provide presidential level security to a friggin cricket team it means your country is not safe for normal sporting events.

 

[Diffusion]

It's not their uncle's factory either.
They have to go where their board tells them to go.

Actually they don't.

 

[Hyperion66]

It's not their uncle's factory either.
They have to go where their board tells them to go.

No WTH!! they are athletes representing their country not bonded labours or slaves. Is it possible for your employer to force you to relocate to say Syria or Chad without your will?

 

[Diffusion]

Its probably in the best interests of the PCB to cancel. If this series goes ahead and even a minor safety incident takes place, Pakistan won't be hosting international cricket for the next 50 years let alone the next 10 years.

Australia have refused to tour Pakistan since 1999 and any sniff of an incidence is just going to damage Pakistan's future hopes.

 

[Shazzam]

If they don't come Pakistan will earn the points for the WTC simple.

We should not give them the extra option of playing in UAE

Wait I thought they were coming only for ODI and twenty20?

It's not their uncle's factory either.
They have to go where their board tells them to go.

There board gave them a choice so they took the best one for themselves. These cricketers are not army men they are privately contracted entertainers. If they can’t entertain us with the worry of there life, than there is no point in forcing them to come.

 

[in_cutter]

And the sky is blue

Honestly don’t know why the PCB even attempts to invite foreign teams. This strategy will kill the PSL also.

 

[moghul]

Should cancel this tour.. no point of risking the lives of SL players.. Pakistan is not safe for International cricket and that is a fact..

People like you helping the trouble makers.

 

[Rellu_Katta]

wont be suprised if all these 10 players suddenly find the warm love to visit pak for PSL ... its alllll about the money ...

 

[moghul]

If we cancel the trip, all it will take one trouble maker to make a unanimous call to cancel any tour to Pak, Sril Lanka , Bangladesh and some other countries.

No compromise on players and fan;s security but if Pak provide good security, no reason to cancel the trip.

 

[Shazzam]

If we cancel the trip, all it will take one trouble maker to make a unanimous call to cancel any tour to Pak, Sril Lanka , Bangladesh and some other countries.

No compromise on players and fan;s security but if Pak provide good security, no reason to cancel the trip.

This game won’t magically bring back international cricket back to the Pakistan either. So they need to approach this differently.

 

[Nov15]

LTTE could be responsible for this terror threat. LTTE was also involved in the 2009 attack.

Link: http://www.sundaytimes.lk/090913/News/nws_09.html

 

[Titan24]

And the sky is blue

Honestly don’t know why the PCB even attempts to invite foreign teams. This strategy will kill the PSL also.

So you are saying they shouldnt invite teams and stop making any effort?

Situation in Pakistan is normal and has been for sometime, its just about portraying that to the world as well and that is why PSL finals, whole last leg of fixtures in 2019 along with multiple series has been initiated.

 

[offstump]

There are threats all the time, we just don’t hear about them. It’s up to the intelligence and security agencies to assess the threats and risks and then make a recommendation. If we are afraid of someone calling in a fake threat then society would cease to function.

 

[aloo paratha]

A simple threat doesn't mean anything. I'm sure the authorities will assess the situation and act accordingly. Just because there's a threat doesn't mean the tour is going to be called off, it could just be fake.

 

[Ronaldo7]

No WTH!! they are athletes representing their country not bonded labours or slaves. Is it possible for your employer to force you to relocate to say Syria or Chad without your will?

Use some common sense.
The board will only ask them to go to a place where the board finds safe. We have had the security people come and check our security they were pleased.
If the players are still unwilling then its the players fault.
They are avoiding national duty.

 

[Shazzam]

Use some common sense.
The board will only ask them to go to a place where the board finds safe. We have had the security people come and check our security they were pleased.
If the players are still unwilling then its the players fault.
They are avoiding national duty.

So its the fault of the players for wanting to be in a secure environment where they don’t need worry about safety. Where they won't have security guards behind them every minute of there time there? If you were asked to go to a place where there is a potential threat to your life I am sure you would say no to it. No amount of money in this world can compare to one’s life.

 

[Ronaldo7]

When you give them security they'll complain
When you don't they they'll complain

To hell with Sri lanka then

 

[Ronaldo7]

Invite someone else.
These sri Lankans don't have the guts

 

[Ronaldo7]

If I was surrounded by security due to threats I certainly would be scared and looking over my shoulder.

It's precautionary not reactionary

There are no threats

This ain't Afghanistan

 

[Ronaldo7]

Do you know what presidential security consists of? Lets start with that before we get into the complicating stuff.

It's a very high level amount of security and pak are wasting their money if all we are gonna get are rellu kattas

And don't act like a "I know it all"

 

[Shazzam]

It's a very high level amount of security and pak are wasting their money if all we are gonna get are rellu kattas

And don't act like a "I know it all"

Right, security that is there to follow you where ever you go. Which restricts your privacy as a player. While cricket is there primary job another is to have time off of cricket so you can focus better the next time you play. As you know due to them having massive security they can’t keep there mind off of cricket or better yet there life since this security is there to protect them in an unsafe country. Do you know how bad that would feel for a player whose sole purpose is to play a game to entertain you and I? That player is stuck there just to do that without having any other positive distractions. Nobody wants to be a slave to there job. Hence why we as fans should understand the player’s burden.

I don’t know it all but I certainly know more than you. I am not gonna let my blind fanboying take over the life of the players.

 

[Ronaldo7]

Right, security that is there to follow you where ever you go. Which restricts your privacy as a player. While cricket is there primary job another is to have time off of cricket so you can focus better the next time you play. As you know due to them having massive security they can’t keep there mind off of cricket or better yet there life since this security is there to protect them in an unsafe country. Do you know how bad that would feel for a player whose sole purpose is to play a game to entertain you and I? That player is stuck there just to do that without having any other positive distractions. Nobody wants to be a slave to there job. Hence why we as fans should understand the player’s burden.

I don’t know it all but I certainly know more than you. I am not gonna let my blind fanboying take over the life of the players.

I see what you mean and I respect that

 

[Forum363]

Not the end of the world if this tour doesn't happen.

I respectfully disagree, this is a pretty big deal.

For Pakistan to attempt a series, 10 players to pull out, then for the series to be cancelled because of a terrorist threat is a very large backwards step for Pakistan hosting cricket in the near future .

Instead, if 10 players pull out, but Pakistan safely and successfully host the Sri Lanka team and it goes off without incident, it’s another high profile series to add to the list before PSL.

And it will definitely be more comforting for potential PSL players if there’s been a successful series a couple of months before, regardless of the quality of players, as opposed to a cancelled series.

So yes, it makes a huge huge difference if this series goes ahead or not.

 

[Ronaldo7]

I respectfully disagree, this is a pretty big deal.

For Pakistan to attempt a series, 10 players to pull out, then for the series to be cancelled because of a terrorist threat is a very large backwards step for Pakistan hosting cricket in the near future .

Instead, if 10 players pull out, but Pakistan safely and successfully host the Sri Lanka team and it goes off without incident, it’s another high profile series to add to the list before PSL.

And it will definitely be more comforting for potential PSL players if there’s been a successful series a couple of months before, regardless of the quality of players, as opposed to a cancelled series.

So yes, it makes a huge huge difference if this series goes ahead or not.

+1

But it hasn't been cancelled yet so let's hope for the best

 

[CricketDon]

Regular bomb attacks in certain places restricted to the afghan border. There hasn't been a significant bomb blast in the developed regions for months.

India is in the top 10 list of the highest no. of terrorist attacks in 2018 and before anyone starts talking smack saying I'm obsessed with india. I'm not. I'm using this example because India is a country which hosts a lot of matches despite the terror threat.

Lahore is extremely safe and that's where some of the matches will take place.

So it'll be better if you actually research about this instead of spreading your ignorance

The fact that you say there has not been a significant blast in months, and you’re using this as a metric for your argument to prove Pakistan is safe, defeats your own argument.

How can you say Lahore is safe when the very attack happened in Lahore?

2017 statistics don’t even put India in the top 10. So you’re the ignorant one, with a obsession with India.

 

[Realromeo]

Tour should be canceled if the news is true, terrorists already attacked Sri Lankan players with impunity in the past why should SL board risk the lives of the players again?

People blaming SL board and players here need to understand that when you have to provide presidential level security to a friggin cricket team it means your country is not safe for normal sporting events.

Never understood the logic of having 50,000 police officers shutting down the whole city, having attack helicopters following the team bus with 20+ military convos just to show "we are safe look" lol.

 

[MachoKhan]

Is the tour officially been called off?

 

[Realromeo]

LTTE could be responsible for this terror threat. LTTE was also involved in the 2009 attack.

Link: http://www.sundaytimes.lk/090913/News/nws_09.html

LTTE was gone in 2009. During the 2009 attack LTTE was on its last leg. If LTTE wanted to attack SL players, it would have been easier to attack them in SL lol. I mean you are talking about presidents, military generals and unlisted special forces not in records of the SL government being hunted down and assasinated. Then there is the Air force bases being attacked and even an Indian PM was assasinated by LTTE. You really think LTTE would choose Pakistan to attack SL players. Also LTTE target was never foreigners, that is why a ICC trophy in 2002 took place after the SL airforce base located not even 30 minutes from the gronds were attacked. The airforce base is attached to the international airport which the players took to land.

Different country, different threat, different experience. Also we warned SL about easter attack which the SL denied. Then look what happened ? Probably we are the one who warned this too.

 

[moghul]

Pakistan can proved players security but cannot stop a crazy person from anywhere in the world from sending a threatening email or phone calls.

 

[Danyaalr01]

If there is a threat, why doesn't Sri Lanka share what they have with Pakistan so that Pakistan can track down who is behind it, if it is fake, if it is a serious threat or if a certain country is playing dirty politics.

 

[cricketjoshila]

So the SLC received a warning from their PrimeMinister's office, regarding threats to the team. This is not a random phone call or anything, but from their PM office.

Why are posters taking this lightly?

 

[cricketjoshila]

Invite someone else.
These sri Lankans don't have the guts

No cricket team has done a full tour of Pakistan since 2009. Why this cavalier attitude towards Lankans? You cant even get the Aussies English etc to send even a B team or C team.

Pcb is lucky that SLC even agreed when almost no one has. You speak as if teams are jumping through hoops to play in pakistan.

 

[cricketjoshila]

So any random person can call a cricket board and threaten them with dire consequences to tour Pakistan.

Nice guy behaviour doesn't work. Teams need to be forced into coming to Pakistan otherwise outside extraordinary money, the players and boards will deliberately refuse to come

How will you force teams?

 

[cricketjoshila]

If they don't come Pakistan will earn the points for the WTC simple.

We should not give them the extra option of playing in UAE

Pakistan is not in a position to dictate terms here. Almost no team has toured pakistan since 2009. SL will be no exception.

 

[MenInG]

PCB need to have a proper threat assessment done and then reply properly - cant brush these things aside.

 

[cricketjoshila]

PCB need to have a proper threat assessment done and then reply properly - cant brush these things aside.

With SL PM office involved, this matter will likely be discussed with Pakistan FO and they have the right logistics to get this sorted.

 

[ARK Rafay]

Pakistan need to ensure if this. If there's a chance they know it can happen. I think best bet is to cancel the tour. Otherwise don't pay too much attention and carry on with the tour.

 

[Ronaldo7]

So the SLC received a warning from their PrimeMinister's office, regarding threats to the team. This is not a random phone call or anything, but from their PM office.

Why are posters taking this lightly?

Where did the PM get it from?
Most likely an Email

You're taking it too seriously because you want it to be true.

Smh

 

[MenInG]

With SL PM office involved, this matter will likely be discussed with Pakistan FO and they have the right logistics to get this sorted.

So this is odd that it was the SLC 'breaking' this news when it should have been handled at another level.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Where did the PM get it from?
Most likely an Email

You're taking it too seriously because you want it to be true.

Smh

Lol. How does the PM receive his input? Is that for you to decide?

A govt has various ways of getting information, intellingence agencies, foreign intel agencies and many more.

Lol at via email.

This is the PM of a country, not a random forummer.

If the Govt and PM of a country are involved, it means serious business.

 

[cricketjoshila]

So this is odd that it was the SLC 'breaking' this news when it should have been handled at another level.

I wont be surprised if the FO of both countries are in touch already and working in the shadows and SLC was just the announcer.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Pakistan need to ensure if this. If there's a chance they know it can happen. I think best bet is to cancel the tour. Otherwise don't pay too much attention and carry on with the tour.

Why cancel? Let the authorities handle it.

Tbh pcb should have let the FO and interior ministry manage it from the start.

 

[Ronaldo7]

Lol. How does the PM receive his input? Is that for you to decide?

A govt has various ways of getting information, intellingence agencies, foreign intel agencies and many more.

Lol at via email.

This is the PM of a country, not a random forummer.

If the Govt and PM of a country are involved, it means serious business.

Calm down
You're exaggerating this a lot more than needed.

The PM is involved because of the recent Sri Lanka bombings and coz they were attacked in 2009. It doesn't make the source more credible

 

[neonoir]

If the tour is cancelled will they instead play the Odi's and T20's in the UAE, or will the play a full tour including tests in December.

 

[ahsan17]

The fact that you say there has not been a significant blast in months, and you’re using this as a metric for your argument to prove Pakistan is safe, defeats your own argument.

How can you say Lahore is safe when the very attack happened in Lahore?

2017 statistics don’t even put India in the top 10. So you’re the ignorant one, with a obsession with India.

Whenever someone brings up the 2009 attack now or the "daily bomb blasts" myth now, I have to bring up this chart:

https://www.satp.org/satporgtp/countries/pakistan/database/casualties.htm

In 2019, Pakistan is as safe, or safer, than when teams used to regularly visit Pakistan.