Upul Tharanga pulls out of Lahore T20I due to security concerns

[Sherlock]

Upul Tharanga has pulled out of the scheduled T20 International in Lahore later this month. The captain's decision to skip the Lahore game makes him ineligible to lead the side in the first two games of the series as well. Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) had earlier announced that one squad would play all three games.

Cricbuzz has reliably learnt that, from the current squad playing the ODI series in UAE, only all-rounder Thisara Perera and two other players have agreed to tour Lahore.

In Tharanga's absence, wicketkeeper batsman Kusal Perera has emerged as the front runner to take up the captaincy for the three-match series. Perera is in the last stage of a recovery process having sustained a hamstring injury in June. He is scheduled to go through an MRI scan and if he is cleared, will lead the side, sources told Cricbuzz.

Dilshan Munaweera, Ashan Priyanjan, Isuru Udana, who feature in T20s regularly have agreed to tour as SLC continued negotiating with other players.

Earlier, 40 contracted players had given a letter to SLC President Thilanga Sumathipala indicating their unwillingness to travel to Lahore. Some players have since softened their stance, but most are still reluctant to tour, including premier fast bowler Lasith Malinga.

Malinga is not part of the ODI squad, but Chairman of Selectors Graeme Labrooy had earlier told Cricbuzz that he was looking to bring Mallinga back for the T20 leg.

Malinga on Sunday had raised strong objections with authorities about their decision to not discard the players unwilling to travel to Lahore from the entire series.

Fast bowler Suranga Lakmal and middle order batsman Chamara Kapugedera were inside the Sri Lankan bus when armed terrorists opened fire at the bus as they were travelling to third day's play of the second Test in March 2009.

While Lakmal has refused to go, sources said that Kapugedera might join the team.

PCB is trying to revive the sport in the country after being forced to play their games in neutral venues of UAE for eight years. Last month a World XI team played three T20Is in Lahore. PCB is also trying to rope in either West Indies or South Africa for a short bilateral series in November.

The Pakistan government has promised security that is usually accorded to Heads of States to the Sri Lankan players.

Sri Lanka's Sports Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara told Cricbuzz, that a team of local police officials will travel to Lahore to carry out an intelligence report prior to the team's travel. Jayasekara backed the decision to travel as Pakistan have been one of Sri Lanka's strongest allies both in the cricket front and in political circles.

On Sunday night, Sri Lanka's support staff decided to tour Lahore after Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur gave them a detailed account of improved security in Pakistan. The support staff has four former international cricketers - Hashan Thilakaratne (Batting Coach), Rumesh Ratnayake (Fast Bowling Coach), Asanka Gurusinha (Manager) and Nic Pothas (Head Coach).


http://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/97816/upul-tharanga-pulls-out-of-lahore-t20i-against-pakistan-vs-sri-lanka

 

[Specialisttailender]

Upul Tharanga has pulled out of the scheduled T20 International in Lahore later this month. The captain's decision to skip the Lahore game makes him ineligible to lead the side in the first two games of the series as well. Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) had earlier announced that one squad would play all three games.

Cricbuzz has reliably learnt that, from the current squad playing the ODI series in UAE, only all-rounder Thisara Perera and two other players have agreed to tour Lahore.

In Tharanga's absence, wicketkeeper batsman Kusal Perera has emerged as the front runner to take up the captaincy for the three-match series. Perera is in the last stage of a recovery process having sustained a hamstring injury in June. He is scheduled to go through an MRI scan and if he is cleared, will lead the side, sources told Cricbuzz.

Dilshan Munaweera, Ashan Priyanjan, Isuru Udana, who feature in T20s regularly have agreed to tour as SLC continued negotiating with other players.

Earlier, 40 contracted players had given a letter to SLC President Thilanga Sumathipala indicating their unwillingness to travel to Lahore. Some players have since softened their stance, but most are still reluctant to tour, including premier fast bowler Lasith Malinga.

Malinga is not part of the ODI squad, but Chairman of Selectors Graeme Labrooy had earlier told Cricbuzz that he was looking to bring Mallinga back for the T20 leg.

Malinga on Sunday had raised strong objections with authorities about their decision to not discard the players unwilling to travel to Lahore from the entire series.

Fast bowler Suranga Lakmal and middle order batsman Chamara Kapugedera were inside the Sri Lankan bus when armed terrorists opened fire at the bus as they were travelling to third day's play of the second Test in March 2009.

While Lakmal has refused to go, sources said that Kapugedera might join the team.

PCB is trying to revive the sport in the country after being forced to play their games in neutral venues of UAE for eight years. Last month a World XI team played three T20Is in Lahore. PCB is also trying to rope in either West Indies or South Africa for a short bilateral series in November.

The Pakistan government has promised security that is usually accorded to Heads of States to the Sri Lankan players.

Sri Lanka's Sports Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara told Cricbuzz, that a team of local police officials will travel to Lahore to carry out an intelligence report prior to the team's travel. Jayasekara backed the decision to travel as Pakistan have been one of Sri Lanka's strongest allies both in the cricket front and in political circles.

On Sunday night, Sri Lanka's support staff decided to tour Lahore after Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur gave them a detailed account of improved security in Pakistan. The support staff has four former international cricketers - Hashan Thilakaratne (Batting Coach), Rumesh Ratnayake (Fast Bowling Coach), Asanka Gurusinha (Manager) and Nic Pothas (Head Coach).


http://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/97816/upul-tharanga-pulls-out-of-lahore-t20i-against-pakistan-vs-sri-lanka​

No wonder, how do you expect them to visit you when two of the victims are still in the team ? Imagine being seconds away from the death and asking them to return to the same spot where the situation has gotten worse ?

If Sri lanka sends 3rd strings of player, then the match in Lahore will lose its credibility, it will ruin the intention of the tour. PCB should just play the last T20 in Dubai and wait until a team is fully ready to tour Pakistan.

 

[ahsan17]

^^ Teams will never be ready to tour if we keep waiting. What happened in 2009 is in the distant past. The reality is that terrorist attacks and casualties from terrorist attacks are down about 80% since 2009 all over Pakistan. Just read this chart to get an idea: http://www.satp.org/satporgtp/countries/pakistan/database/casualties.htm.

Players and teams need to be living in 2017 rather than 2009. If teams are unwilling to tour with that in mind then clearly it's a decision driven out of emotion and perception rather than ground reality.

 

[CanadianG00se]

^^ Teams will never be ready to tour if we keep waiting. What happened in 2009 is in the distant past. The reality is that terrorist attacks and casualties from terrorist attacks are down about 80% since 2009 all over Pakistan. Just read this chart to get an idea: http://www.satp.org/satporgtp/countries/pakistan/database/casualties.htm.

Players and teams need to be living in 2017 rather than 2009. If teams are unwilling to tour with that in mind then clearly it's a decision driven out of emotion and perception rather than ground reality.

Whether one likes it or not, we must respect the decision of player(s). Even in 90s most non asian teams refused to tour Sri Lanka, but in matter of few years gradually all teams started visiting them. Pakistan should start focus with smaller teams and if everything goes well then gradually every team will start touring(except one or two).

 

[Specialisttailender]

^^ Teams will never be ready to tour if we keep waiting. What happened in 2009 is in the distant past. The reality is that terrorist attacks and casualties from terrorist attacks are down about 80% since 2009 all over Pakistan. Just read this chart to get an idea: http://www.satp.org/satporgtp/countries/pakistan/database/casualties.htm.

Players and teams need to be living in 2017 rather than 2009. If teams are unwilling to tour with that in mind then clearly it's a decision driven out of emotion and perception rather than ground reality.

Typical selfish comments by another Pakistani here, you are probably the same person who wants Butt and Asif back regardless of much shame it brings to Pakistan Cricket. Players aren't going to forget what happened to them so a country they don't care about can bring cricket back to its people. Pakistani military and police failed, the officials were so careless and a professional sport team was attacked. Imagine players watching police men that are supposed to protect them fall like flies and getting shot at. It was a bus driver that saved them, not the police. Players refusal to tour could also be a sign of protest for carelessness that nearly took their lives. We were supposed to tour and I'm glad we didn't, we could have had dead Indian players, not to forget that several policemen died because of this. Go cry and whine all you want. Unless a reputable full strength team tours Pakistan, Pakistan will never be considered safe for cricket.

If anything this match will seem like "we are trying to prove Pakistan is safe but we can't convince enough players to think it is safe".

 

[Abdullah719]

Sad to hear that but respect his decision.

 

[ahsan17]

Typical selfish comments by another Pakistani here, you are probably the same person who wants Butt and Asif back regardless of much shame it brings to Pakistan Cricket. Players aren't going to forget what happened to them so a country they don't care about can bring cricket back to its people. Pakistani military and police failed, the officials were so careless and a professional sport team was attacked. Imagine players watching police men that are supposed to protect them fall like flies and getting shot at. It was a bus driver that saved them, not the police. Players refusal to tour could also be a sign of protest for carelessness that nearly took their lives. We were supposed to tour and I'm glad we didn't, we could have had dead Indian players, not to forget that several policemen died because of this. Go cry and whine all you want. Unless a reputable full strength team tours Pakistan, Pakistan will never be considered safe for cricket.

If anything this match will seem like "we are trying to prove Pakistan is safe but we can't convince enough players to think it is safe".

Seems like you completely ignored every single point I made in my post and went on with your rambling.

 

[KingKhanWC]

Typical selfish comments by another Pakistani here, you are probably the same person who wants Butt and Asif back regardless of much shame it brings to Pakistan Cricket. Players aren't going to forget what happened to them so a country they don't care about can bring cricket back to its people. Pakistani military and police failed, the officials were so careless and a professional sport team was attacked. Imagine players watching police men that are supposed to protect them fall like flies and getting shot at. It was a bus driver that saved them, not the police. Players refusal to tour could also be a sign of protest for carelessness that nearly took their lives. We were supposed to tour and I'm glad we didn't, we could have had dead Indian players, not to forget that several policemen died because of this. Go cry and whine all you want. Unless a reputable full strength team tours Pakistan, Pakistan will never be considered safe for cricket.

If anything this match will seem like "we are trying to prove Pakistan is safe but we can't convince enough players to think it is safe".

Indians wont even play in the UAE , what's the excuse there?

Pakistan has no choice but to try and get teams to play at home. If they dont want to come, so be it but.

Pakistan is actually safer for teams to visit than any other nation now as it will provide the most security. Terrorists will find it far easier to target countries like India or England.

 

[ExpressPacer]

Don't matter. Not a good enough player anyway. Hope Kusal Perera is there.

 

[ahsan17]

^^ It's just appeal to emotion to bring up what happened 8 years ago and suggest nothing has changed since then. The level of security being provided to players, the overall security situation in the entire country is vastly different. People need to live in 2017 not 2009.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Indians wont even play in the UAE , what's the excuse there?

Pakistan has no choice but to try and get teams to play at home. If they dont want to come, so be it but.

Pakistan is actually safer for teams to visit than any other nation now as it will provide the most security. Terrorists will find it far easier to target countries like India or England.

Because India has decided to keep bilateral sporting ties suspended.

Yes you are absolutely right that Pakistan has to try to bring back cricket and have to make herculean efforts for it.

Pakistan is safer than England or India. I am glad you are not the one convincing the teams.

 

[cricketjoshila]

^^ It's just appeal to emotion to bring up what happened 8 years ago and suggest nothing has changed since then. The level of security being provided to players, the overall security situation in the entire country is vastly different. People need to live in 2017 not 2009.

You may be correct.But another man will think, why should he take a risk that he can avoid.

 

[Hasan123]

Respect his decision

 

[Enigma_]

Pathetic. No respect for his decision whatsoever.

 

[IAJ]

Don't matter. Not a good enough player anyway. Hope Kusal Perera is there.

Knew this post will pop up. Good player or bad player it is his decision and we should respect it though it is sad for pakistani public.

 

[ExpressPacer]

Knew this post will pop up. Good player or bad player it is his decision and we should respect it though it is sad for pakistani public.

Of course, I obviously respect his decision to not come. Its HIS choice but I mean, it won't exactly be much of a loss.

 

[Madplayer]

Is lakmal coming? He was in that bus that got attacked.

 

[SM1989]

Its a third string team that will show up. The players should go. Its part of their job. If they don't want to, then their central contracts should be terminated by SLC.

 

[saeed5646]

Is lakmal coming? He was in that bus that got attacked.

Fast bowler Suranga Lakmal and middle order batsman Chamara Kapugedera were inside the Sri Lankan bus when armed terrorists opened fire at the bus as they were travelling to third day's play of the second Test in March 2009.

While Lakmal has refused to go, sources said that Kapugedera might join the team

 

[Madplayer]

Fast bowler Suranga Lakmal and middle order batsman Chamara Kapugedera were inside the Sri Lankan bus when armed terrorists opened fire at the bus as they were travelling to third day's play of the second Test in March 2009.

While Lakmal has refused to go, sources said that Kapugedera might join the team

Thanks.

Gotta respect their decisions. I cant imagine what Lakmal and kapugadera must have gone through that day.

Some of the comments on this thread are heartless.

 

[the Great Khan]

Im not sure about this. On the one hand its his decision and he has the right to make that decision, we should in turn respect it. On the other hand he wasnt in the bus that day, we have had some international players already make the trip, he wont be personally targeted and its just one T20. Your in and out in no time. If Kapugadera comes then Tharanga will look a bit silly inmho.

 

[Dios]

Makes you question what the point of spending all that money on the World XI series was if a 'C' grade player like Tharanga still refuses to tour Pakistan.

 

[SM1989]

Thanks.

Gotta respect their decisions. I cant imagine what Lakmal and kapugadera must have gone through that day.

Some of the comments on this thread are heartless.

So if you get robbed at gun point outside your house, which happens a lot in pakistan, would you refuse to live in that house for the rest of your life?

Times have changed and we have moved on from 2009. The government and PCB are much more competent and are taking things a lot more seriously and have shown that via PSL final and the World XI series. Sri Lanka players should understand this.

 

[Salman]

Lets be honest, he feels the Pakistani people are an evil bunch, i respect his decision!

won't be missed.

 

[SM1989]

Fast bowler Suranga Lakmal and middle order batsman Chamara Kapugedera were inside the Sri Lankan bus when armed terrorists opened fire at the bus as they were travelling to third day's play of the second Test in March 2009.

While Lakmal has refused to go, sources said that Kapugedera might join the team

Lakmal should man up. Going there and coming back safely under high security might result in closure for any trauma from 2009.

 

[Madplayer]

So if you get robbed at gun point outside your house, which happens a lot in pakistan, would you refuse to live in that house for the rest of your life?

I dont know. It has not happened to me so i cant answer it. But people do try to move to houses in areas which are safer and have a secure neighbourhood.

And its psycological. You might not get intimidated by certain things but others might not be as brave as you. They might not be able to get over such near death experiences as easily as you. Its not for you or me to judge them.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Im not sure about this. On the one hand its his decision and he has the right to make that decision, we should in turn respect it. On the other hand he wasnt in the bus that day, we have had some international players already make the trip, he wont be personally targeted and its just one T20. Your in and out in no time. If Kapugadera comes then Tharanga will look a bit silly inmho.

TGK

As you said its a personal decision.No reason why Kapugaderes decision will affect Tharanga.

 

[Major]

Some really immature comments have been made by some posters.

His concerns are valid. You cant force players to come over due to an attack that almost killed their entire squad

 

[sachin100]

Oh my God with certain responses here.

The only board who is more corrupt than pcb is slc and u can see the unanimous dislike against slc board in every forum.

Slc is acting against its players interest and hob knobbing them to tour by force.

U want to cancel cricketing relationship with the only board who is supporting u by antogonizing their own players.

 

[SM1989]

Some really immature comments have been made by some posters.

His concerns are valid. You cant force players to come over due to an attack that almost killed their entire squad

His concerns would be valid if there was no security being provided. Half of Lahore will be shut down to facilitate this match. I am sorry but in light of the World XI series his concerns are no longer valid. Hence he deserves no respect for his decision.

 

[MenInG]

His concerns would be valid if there was no security being provided. Half of Lahore will be shut down to facilitate this match. I am sorry but in light of the World XI series his concerns are no longer valid. Hence he deserves no respect for his decision.

How can he not deserve respect? You may not agree with him but why would we lose respect?

 

[Raja Sab]

respect his decision, board shouldn't force him now

 

[khalil1986]

His concerns would be valid if there was no security being provided. Half of Lahore will be shut down to facilitate this match. I am sorry but in light of the World XI series his concerns are no longer valid. Hence he deserves no respect for his decision.

If half of Lahore needs to be shut down it kinda proves his point.

 

[Sherlock]

No-one should be denigrated or insulted because they chose to look after themselves, and what their family would be saying.

Respect his decision, there's no need pressuring anyone to come to Pakistan. It's still not 100% safe, no matter what we've seen with the World XI coming over. It takes 1 incident to scupper whatever goodwill the PCB/fans have garnered.

 

[Arham_PakFan]

I respect his decision although I don’t agree with it.

 

[SM1989]

How can he not deserve respect? You may not agree with him but why would we lose respect?

Because his decision is irrational given the level of security he will be provided and the fact that the situation is completely different. I acknowledge his right to make his decision as he wants, however I cannot respect it and will use my RIGHT to criticise him as I want for it.

 

[saeed5646]

Makes you question what the point of spending all that money on the World XI series was if a 'C' grade player like Tharanga still refuses to tour Pakistan.

i will take Kusal perara on tharanga any day and to tell you more they are not coming pakistan with addditonal

money so it is good reward of world 11 tour

 

[mak36]

Who are you to agree or disagree with ?

Your post makes no sense.

Believe it or not, people can have (informed) opinions on a variety of subjects.

 

[Specialisttailender]

Indians wont even play in the UAE , what's the excuse there?

Pakistan has no choice but to try and get teams to play at home. If they dont want to come, so be it but.

Pakistan is actually safer for teams to visit than any other nation now as it will provide the most security. Terrorists will find it far easier to target countries like India or England.

Seems like you completely ignored every single point I made in my post and went on with your rambling.

Indians are not playing Pakistan because of pressure from the government, nothing to do with BCCI or Indian players. With Pakistan, no players or board wants to send their players to Pakistan. Two different issues.

Pakistan can try what ever they want, but it is pathetic to think "players can't live in 2009" when the players you are talking about almost died trusting Pakistan's security force. Also remember not long ago minorities and school children were being targeted, some even in middle of the day in city.

Pakistan is the safest ? LOL then why do terrorists infiltrate your military camps attack them and sometimes even get training without the knowledge of Pakistani officials? The world doesn't trust Pakistani police and army that is the truth. How did Indian intels gathered information that it wasn't safe for us to tour Pak in 2009 ? Despite that SL players were attacked. Clearly Indian intels know more about Pakistan than Pakistan intels about their own country. Indian police may ditch their duty, all crowd up behind the side screen and watch the entire match without monitoring the crowd, but the security team that works behind the scenes ensure everything goes smooth.

 

[ahsan17]

Pakistan can try what ever they want, but it is pathetic to think "players can't live in 2009" when the players you are talking about almost died trusting Pakistan's security force. Also remember not long ago minorities and school children were being targeted, some even in middle of the day in city.

Again, this has been answered already. It is pathetic to think that you can live in 2009 indefinitely. When are you going to get over that? What is the date? 2050? 2100? When do you think that it has been too long and you need to rethink the position? Everything is there for the position to be rethought. The good thing is you are not deciding, otherwise you will be stuck in 2009 indefinitely.

 

[KingKhanWC]

Indians are not playing Pakistan because of pressure from the government, nothing to do with BCCI or Indian players. With Pakistan, no players or board wants to send their players to Pakistan. Two different issues.

Pakistan can try what ever they want, but it is pathetic to think "players can't live in 2009" when the players you are talking about almost died trusting Pakistan's security force. Also remember not long ago minorities and school children were being targeted, some even in middle of the day in city.

Pakistan is the safest ? LOL then why do terrorists infiltrate your military camps attack them and sometimes even get training without the knowledge of Pakistani officials? The world doesn't trust Pakistani police and army that is the truth. How did Indian intels gathered information that it wasn't safe for us to tour Pak in 2009 ? Despite that SL players were attacked. Clearly Indian intels know more about Pakistan than Pakistan intels about their own country. Indian police may ditch their duty, all crowd up behind the side screen and watch the entire match without monitoring the crowd, but the security team that works behind the scenes ensure everything goes smooth.

Australians players coaches aren't safe with bricks flying through the windows.

Let's not go into the complicated issue of proxy warfare which has plagued Pakistan on a cricketing thread.

Pakistan provides the highest security to any visiting team. England or India will not provide this as they feel there is little danger, thus it's easier for terrorists to attack those nations. This is my simple point.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Australians players coaches aren't safe with bricks flying through the windows.

Yet Aussies havent refused to tour India.They even visit annually to play the IPL.

Let's not go into the complicated issue of proxy warfare which has plagued Pakistan on a cricketing thread.

Yea,handle it.

Pakistan provides the highest security to any visiting team. England or India will not provide this as they feel there is little danger, thus it's easier for terrorists to attack those nations. This is my simple point.

You know nothing about the security provided in India. Pakistan has to advertise and convince people even offer them money to play in Pakistan,sometimes even that fail, reason is Pakistan is considered unsafe by people to travel to and Players were attacked in Pakistan. England and India dont need to advertise their security or pay the players extra to play.That doesnt mean the security is lax.

 

[GrandMaster]

Makes you question what the point of spending all that money on the World XI series was if a 'C' grade player like Tharanga still refuses to tour Pakistan.

Does that mean that C grade players lives are less important?

 

[Flat_Track_Bully]

We have proved we can host matches safely now time to play.

 

[kingusama92]

The SL players who went in 2009 might be dealing with PTSD. I hardly find it appropriate for people to disrespect their wishes.

Cricket is just a game.

If certain SL players don't want to go, they shouldn't be forced nor mocked.

Some posters need to take a step back and realize these are real people with families. Cricket isn't worth it if you're playing in fear. Simple as that.

Whether that fear is valid or not is beside the point.

 

[giri26]

Seven more Sri Lankan players agree to tour Lahore

Out of the 40 contracted players, who had requested Sri Lanka Cricket to reconsider their decision to play the last Twenty20 International in Lahore, seven players have changed their minds and agreed to tour Pakistan.

However, the board is yet to get the consent of captain Upul Tharanga, who on Monday made himself unavailable for the game. Fast bowler Lasith Malinga is also highly unlikely to feature in the one off T20 International. Meetings were taking place between officials and the players on Tuesday evening and authorities were confident that they will be able to send a balanced team.

"As of now, from the 22 players we had in mind, 15 have given consent to go to Lahore. We don't want to upset their preparation for the third ODI which is on Wednesday. By Thursday, the day after the game, we will have a fair idea who is available. That will give us an opportunity to prune the squad to 15," a top SLC official told Cricbuzz on Tuesday (October 17).

Meanwhile, Kusal Perera, who was tipped to take over the captaincy subsequent to Tharanga's withdrawal subject to fitness, has failed a fitness test in Colombo. Perera, who returned home early from Champions Trophy in June with a hamstring injury, is in the last stages of his recovery process.

SLC sources said that three players who are in the Caribbean with Sri Lanka 'A' team - Dasun Shanaka, Shean Jayasuriya and Wanindu Hasaranga too had agreed to be part of the Lahore leg of the current series against Pakistan.

Sri Lanka's Manager Asanka Gurusinha earlier had expressed his confidence that more players will agree to tour. The support staff had earlier decided to make the trip giving SLC a short in the arm to go ahead with the tour.

SLC's Executive Committee met on Monday and studied a detailed security report the ICC had prepared after the World XI series. The World XI played three matches in Lahore and Sri Lankan all-rounder Thisara Perera was part of that squad as well.

http://m.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/97840/seven-more-sri-lankan-players-agree-to-tour-lahore

 

[SM1989]

Out of the 40 contracted players, who had requested Sri Lanka Cricket to reconsider their decision to play the last Twenty20 International in Lahore, seven players have changed their minds and agreed to tour Pakistan.

However, the board is yet to get the consent of captain Upul Tharanga, who on Monday made himself unavailable for the game. Fast bowler Lasith Malinga is also highly unlikely to feature in the one off T20 International. Meetings were taking place between officials and the players on Tuesday evening and authorities were confident that they will be able to send a balanced team.

"As of now, from the 22 players we had in mind, 15 have given consent to go to Lahore. We don't want to upset their preparation for the third ODI which is on Wednesday. By Thursday, the day after the game, we will have a fair idea who is available. That will give us an opportunity to prune the squad to 15," a top SLC official told Cricbuzz on Tuesday (October 17).

Meanwhile, Kusal Perera, who was tipped to take over the captaincy subsequent to Tharanga's withdrawal subject to fitness, has failed a fitness test in Colombo. Perera, who returned home early from Champions Trophy in June with a hamstring injury, is in the last stages of his recovery process.

SLC sources said that three players who are in the Caribbean with Sri Lanka 'A' team - Dasun Shanaka, Shean Jayasuriya and Wanindu Hasaranga too had agreed to be part of the Lahore leg of the current series against Pakistan.

Sri Lanka's Manager Asanka Gurusinha earlier had expressed his confidence that more players will agree to tour. The support staff had earlier decided to make the trip giving SLC a short in the arm to go ahead with the tour.

SLC's Executive Committee met on Monday and studied a detailed security report the ICC had prepared after the World XI series. The World XI played three matches in Lahore and Sri Lankan all-rounder Thisara Perera was part of that squad as well.

http://m.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/97840/seven-more-sri-lankan-players-agree-to-tour-lahore

Good. Hopefully they will convince the rest of them as well.

No excuses for them not to tour after World XI series.

 

[waleed88]

He is well within his right if he wants to opt out, what happened in 2009 was a horrific incident that can cause anyone PTSD if they are still part of the same squad.

 

[Zero]

Some very disgusting comments here, what a shame.

Also, everyone calling him a bad player, he has batted really well this series with a terribly out of form team, and has over 15 ODI centuries with a decent average, have some respect.

 

[giri26]

All please keep the conversation civil and do not discuss politics here. Keep the discussions on topic.

 

[dauntless]

My favorite player from srilanka completely respect his decision. No need to abuse him it's his choice he can do whatever he want.

 

[khurram39]

He has all the rights to take his own decision. A team full of SL players enough to suggest the whole world we are safe either Thranga is included or excluded in that team.

Purpose for SL tour is to give the message to the whole world, look at the team who was bollix up is there and whats the reason for you for not coming here.

 

[Flat_Track_Bully]

Very strange decision, must have a grudge against us.

Hopefully all the others will come and will have a good time.

All the hard work since the Zimbo tour paying dividends now. Floodgates are about to open.

 

[SM1989]

My favorite player from srilanka completely respect his decision. No need to abuse him it's his choice he can do whatever he want.

We can use our right to free speech to criticise him and his choice.

 

[Adil_94]

fair enough u understand why some players will still be apprehensive.

 

[Buffet]

His concerns would be valid if there was no security being provided. Half of Lahore will be shut down to facilitate this match. I am sorry but in light of the World XI series his concerns are no longer valid. Hence he deserves no respect for his decision.

Not all players are going to feel safe if you have to shut down half of city to play a cricket game.

Imagine you offering fighter jets and tanks to guard them and then boasting about there is so much security. I am exaggerating here, but you get the gist.

-----------

It's a personal decision. Nothing more to read here.

 

[Lefthanded]

Full respect to any SL squad member who doesn't feel comfortable coming. Their lives are not worth a single over being bowled in Pakistan. SL players do not owe Pakistan anything.

And apparently a brick through the window is the same a hail of bullets, the death of a security guard, and the near death of a player.

Pakistan has more serious problems as a country and even in the cricketing structure that are more important than hosting teams. Begging foreigners to come at the cost of millions of dollars for a T20 or two here and there, seems vulgar and pathetic in light of that.

 

[Flat_Track_Bully]

Full respect to any SL squad member who doesn't feel comfortable coming. Their lives are not worth a single over being bowled in Pakistan. SL players do not owe Pakistan anything.

And apparently a brick through the window is the same a hail of bullets, the death of a security guard, and the near death of a player.

Pakistan has more serious problems as a country and even in the cricketing structure that are more important than hosting teams. Begging foreigners to come at the cost of millions of dollars for a T20 or two here and there, seems vulgar and pathetic in light of that.

Many years ago and many succesful matches have taken place without incident.

Pakistanis are cricket loving fans and don't throw bricks at opposition players. Foreign funded militants fire bullets so maybe ask the question who funded the militants in the 2009 attack.

 

[sachin100]

Many years ago and many succesful matches have taken place without incident.

Pakistanis are cricket loving fans and don't throw bricks at opposition players. Foreign funded militants fire bullets so maybe ask the question who funded the militants in the 2009 attack.

Haha. Its foreign conspiracy and nothing to do with pak failure isn't it?

Nothing happened in the 1989 tour where indian players jerseys were torn, attacked with stones in the field.

So much for conspiracy theories and fan behavior

 

[ahsan17]

Full respect to any SL squad member who doesn't feel comfortable coming. Their lives are not worth a single over being bowled in Pakistan. SL players do not owe Pakistan anything.

And apparently a brick through the window is the same a hail of bullets, the death of a security guard, and the near death of a player.

Pakistan has more serious problems as a country and even in the cricketing structure that are more important than hosting teams. Begging foreigners to come at the cost of millions of dollars for a T20 or two here and there, seems vulgar and pathetic in light of that.

Are you still living in 2009?

 

[sachin100]

Are you still living in 2009?

If it is normal why have u given players extra money to tour Pakistan until recently?

 

[ahsan17]

If it is normal why have u given players extra money to tour Pakistan until recently?

It seems like certain people can only grasp simple arguments and live in a world of black and white.

Let me explain. The security situation in Pakistan has changed dramatically in the last 2-3 years. Terrorist attacks are down 80% from 2009. The security situation statistically now is similar to 2005-2006, when all teams were touring Pakistan. The reality is that perception takes time to change, and if someone was attacked somewhere a long time ago, they are likely to be wary of going back to that place no matter how much that situation has changed. That's why despite the much improved situation, it is understandable why some players are wary of touring. All we're saying is that we understand the decision, but it is not a decision born out of rationality - rather it is born out of emotion.

That doesn't necessarily make it a bad decision, but it does mean that sooner or later they should revisit that decision and see if ground reality has changed. Which it has.

 

[Saj]

For some players it doesn't matter how much money PCB will throw at them, they will not go to Pakistan. Their decision has to be respected.

 

[SM1989]

For some players it doesn't matter how much money PCB will throw at them, they will not go to Pakistan. Their decision has to be respected.

Their decision has to be accepted, not respected. They deserve all the criticism they are getting. We have gone to all the trouble to facilitate them, and if they still don't accept, then we will criticise their ungratefulness.

They should remember that when they were in the same predicament and no one wanted to tour Sri Lanka, we supported them.

 

[Hitman]

Their decision has to be accepted, not respected. They deserve all the criticism they are getting. We have gone to all the trouble to facilitate them, and if they still don't accept, then we will criticise their ungratefulness.

They should remember that when they were in the same predicament and no one wanted to tour Sri Lanka, we supported them.

Was your team ever attacked in Sri Lanka be gunmen and were your players ever injured?

 

[BDwarriors]

Their decision has to be accepted, not respected. They deserve all the criticism they are getting. We have gone to all the trouble to facilitate them, and if they still don't accept, then we will criticise their ungratefulness.

They should remember that when they were in the same predicament and no one wanted to tour Sri Lanka, we supported them.

sure, after being promised presidential security they were attacked and injured, now they should be shameful for not coming cause of presidential security.....well said. if i were a srilankan, i would say they should visit as the last team in pakistan who visits after all other ICC team afterall what happend to their team.

 

[BDwarriors]

It seems like certain people can only grasp simple arguments and live in a world of black and white.

Let me explain. The security situation in Pakistan has changed dramatically in the last 2-3 years. Terrorist attacks are down 80% from 2009. The security situation statistically now is similar to 2005-2006, when all teams were touring Pakistan. The reality is that perception takes time to change, and if someone was attacked somewhere a long time ago, they are likely to be wary of going back to that place no matter how much that situation has changed. That's why despite the much improved situation, it is understandable why some players are wary of touring. All we're saying is that we understand the decision, but it is not a decision born out of rationality - rather it is born out of emotion.

That doesn't necessarily make it a bad decision, but it does mean that sooner or later they should revisit that decision and see if ground reality has changed. Which it has.

Its very rational that you dont trust a country who promised you presidential security and after that you got attacked and injured. SL should have been the last team who visit pakistan. Were their board rich like others, they might have never bother to vvisit like Eng,Aus,Nz etc...

 

[MenInG]

The attack took place in 2009 and the security has been shown to be good enough. The people reminding us of 2009 attack on this thread clearly have their own agendas which are easy to spot.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Their decision has to be accepted, not respected. They deserve all the criticism they are getting. We have gone to all the trouble to facilitate them, and if they still don't accept, then we will criticise their ungratefulness.

They should remember that when they were in the same predicament and no one wanted to tour Sri Lanka, we supported them.

Their decisions have to be accepted and respected.

Accepted because you dont have another choice.

Respected because its personal freedom of another person.

Ungratefulness?For what?

Pakistan is putting efforts and thats appreciable but just because someone doesnt want to go to Pakistan doesnt mean he is to be disrespected.You are looking after your interests and he is looking after his own.

Will PCB able to get Aus NZ ENG India to tour?

 

[SM1989]

Was your team ever attacked in Sri Lanka be gunmen and were your players ever injured?

That was a terrible one off incident. The situation has changed as exemplified by World XI tour and the PSL Final. Sorry but we should move on from 2009.

 

[SM1989]

sure, after being promised presidential security they were attacked and injured, now they should be shameful for not coming cause of presidential security.....well said. if i were a srilankan, i would say they should visit as the last team in pakistan who visits after all other ICC team afterall what happend to their team.

Because the administration is different and this administration is very serious about security as it has exemplified in the PSL final and the World XI series. The examples are there to see for the Sri Lankan team and if they still want to live in 2009, then they can do so, but they won't get any love from us.

 

[SM1989]

The attack took place in 2009 and the security has been shown to be good enough. The people reminding us of 2009 attack on this thread clearly have their own agendas which are easy to spot.

I agree. Quite a few indian supporters taking that line of discussion. I guess they just can't be happy with any sort of success for Pakistan cricket.

 

[SM1989]

Their decisions have to be accepted and respected.

Accepted because you dont have another choice.

Respected because its personal freedom of another person.

Ungratefulness?For what?

Pakistan is putting efforts and thats appreciable but just because someone doesnt want to go to Pakistan doesnt mean he is to be disrespected.You are looking after your interests and he is looking after his own.

Will PCB able to get Aus NZ ENG India to tour?

Aus, NZ and Eng will take some time. They weren't touring for years before 2009 anyway.

India will not tour because of political reasons which are out of the PCB's control, and which you being an Indian supporter should be well aware of.

We accept the Sri Lankan players decision but we are not happy with it and will voice that unhappiness.

 

[coy0607]

I wounder how much of this is self-perseverance for Tharanga - his ODI team is getting a phanta, no doubt T20 will bring similar results. By excusing himself from this T20, he can show that he isn't at fault

 

[PerfectionPersonified]

Most of Indian posters trying to justify Tharanga's decision , i am not surprised at all.

 

[90MPH]

The attack took place in 2009 and the security has been shown to be good enough. The people reminding us of 2009 attack on this thread clearly have their own agendas which are easy to spot.

Well said MIG.

And it's not hard to figure who they are - predominantly fans from a country who don't want cricket back in Pakistan. As trump would say - "sad".

 

[shane]

Perfectly understandable decision. And those Pakistanis who cannot respect it need to get a grip.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Aus, NZ and Eng will take some time. They weren't touring for years before 2009 anyway.

India will not tour because of political reasons which are out of the PCB's control, and which you being an Indian supporter should be well aware of.

We accept the Sri Lankan players decision but we are not happy with it and will voice that unhappiness.

Why not voice unhappiness over Aus Eng NZ not touring?

 

[Flat_Track_Bully]

Why not voice unhappiness over Aus Eng NZ not touring?

Because we played in sri lanka when bombs were going off nearby.

 

[90MPH]

Indians are not playing Pakistan because of pressure from the government, nothing to do with BCCI or Indian players. With Pakistan, no players or board wants to send their players to Pakistan. Two different issues.

Pakistan can try what ever they want, but it is pathetic to think "players can't live in 2009" when the players you are talking about almost died trusting Pakistan's security force. Also remember not long ago minorities and school children were being targeted, some even in middle of the day in city.

Pakistan is the safest ? LOL then why do terrorists infiltrate your military camps attack them and sometimes even get training without the knowledge of Pakistani officials? The world doesn't trust Pakistani police and army that is the truth. How did Indian intels gathered information that it wasn't safe for us to tour Pak in 2009 ? Despite that SL players were attacked. Clearly Indian intels know more about Pakistan than Pakistan intels about their own country. Indian police may ditch their duty, all crowd up behind the side screen and watch the entire match without monitoring the crowd, but the security team that works behind the scenes ensure everything goes smooth.

Go away. People like you are pathetic and your wish would always to be negative about Pakistan so no surprise you don't want cricket returning to Pakistan and it's not hard to figure out why.

We don't need your lectures on security, especially when your PM who couldn't even protect minorties in his own state before getting elected.

Security situation is much better now but for people like you it will never be good enough. Your sad negative opinion about Pakistan means zilch.