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Upul Tharanga pulls out of Lahore T20I due to security concerns

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...

I don't think they promised presidential security in 2009. And as I've been saying, you need to live in 2017. Take note of the security provided to players, as well as the overall security situation in Pakistan. Both are markedly different than 2009.
 
It's his decision don't know why people are criticising him for it.. Theee people themselves wouldn't want to risk their lives for a country they have no emotional attachment to.. Agreed the security is better now and chances of anything happening is slim but it's still a risk so why should he take that risk??

For people saying anywhere in world risks are there it's about perception and one feels safer in his own environment than in a terror perceived environment..
 
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.

It's easy to say that. But ultimately it'll be the players who will have to tour. Also, it's not some random stuff that happened to the SL players in 2009. They barely escaped with their lives.

And now the same team (not the same players, mind you) is receiving sticks from Pak fans for their unwillingness to tour their country. Great!
 
I don't think they promised presidential security in 2009. And as I've been saying, you need to live in 2017. Take note of the security provided to players, as well as the overall security situation in Pakistan. Both are markedly different than 2009.

Yes, they were.
 
It's easy to say that. But ultimately it'll be the players who will have to tour. Also, it's not some random stuff that happened to the SL players in 2009. They barely escaped with their lives.

And now the same team (not the same players, mind you) is receiving sticks from Pak fans for their unwillingness to tour their country. Great!

Yes it was tragic, but if we keep dwelling on it, we will never be able to move forward.

The situation has changed so lets accept that.
 
India were supposed to tour Pak in 2009, but they refused. As a result SL agreed to tour instead. I remember the outrageous hate the Indian players received from Pak posters at that time, specially Sachin and Dhoni since they were the first to voice their reluctance to tour. They were disrespected beyond belief by posters here.

And then what happened? Indian posters were civilized enough not to bump up a particular thread after the unfortunate attacks took place, a thread where certain worthless trolls were getting their knickers in a twist and hurling all types of insults at Sachin and Dhoni. If your country isn't good enough to provide safety to touring players, you should be the last one to blame players from other nations to tour you.

And NO, it's irrelevant when you say that people should move on from 2009. People never move on when it comes to the safety of their lives. The only reason why a select few players have toured Pak so far is because they have been paid handsomely. That made them take the risk.
 
Yes it was tragic, but if we keep dwelling on it, we will never be able to move forward.

The situation has changed so lets accept that.

"Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me."


PAK and PCB should look to move forward but it's okay for others to be apprehensive. Especially those who have been through it before in 2009.
 
Yes it was tragic, but if we keep dwelling on it, we will never be able to move forward.

The situation has changed so lets accept that.

Don't blame the SL team for that. I mean it would make sense if you're disappointed at players from other nations for their reluctance to tour Pak, refusing to move on. But you certainly can't blame the SL team for refusing to tour. They were the ones who decided to tour in 2009 after most of the teams were refusing to tour Pak. Instead their faith was repaid with .... (you know what).
 
Don't blame the SL team for that. I mean it would make sense if you're disappointed at players from other nations for their reluctance to tour Pak, refusing to move on. But you certainly can't blame the SL team for refusing to tour. They were the ones who decided to tour in 2009 after most of the teams were refusing to tour Pak. Instead their faith was repaid with .... (you know what).

I understand your point, but do note that only two members of that 2009 squad are still in the Sri Lankan team. The majority of the current batch of players cannot cite PTSD as an excuse to not go to Pakistan.
 
India were supposed to tour Pak in 2009, but they refused. As a result SL agreed to tour instead. I remember the outrageous hate the Indian players received from Pak posters at that time, specially Sachin and Dhoni since they were the first to voice their reluctance to tour. They were disrespected beyond belief by posters here.

And then what happened? Indian posters were civilized enough not to bump up a particular thread after the unfortunate attacks took place, a thread where certain worthless trolls were getting their knickers in a twist and hurling all types of insults at Sachin and Dhoni. If your country isn't good enough to provide safety to touring players, you should be the last one to blame players from other nations to tour you.

And NO, it's irrelevant when you say that people should move on from 2009. People never move on when it comes to the safety of their lives. The only reason why a select few players have toured Pak so far is because they have been paid handsomely. That made them take the risk.

Actually Indians did brought up that we were supposed to go. The terrorists would have been more motivated if our players were there, what is the chance that the bus driver that saved the Sri Lankan team wasn't on duty and it was his friend who was killed in that gun fire ? Listen to that speech where Sangakkara says when he checked back his seat's head rest had a bullet exit hole. Sri lankan players were trained for a situation like this so they acted on it, our players don't go through this survival training. Remember police officers died protecting this team, this would have been a whole different story if a player had actually died despite one player getting shot in the thigh and and another in the head. PP members are weird, they don't care about the past whether it is fixing or near massacre, they only care about satisfying their needs.
 
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.

Wish ? You think every Indian wakes up and wishes the worst for Pakistan ? That maybe a norm among Pakistani by the comments and thead I see here but it is not us. India is doing better economically and sports wise why would I wish the worst for Pakistan ? If anything, I feel bad and pity, especially for the poor and minorities. That is where my wish towards Pakistan stops. The truth hurts and the reality hurts. Don't blame me for the mess in your country, i'm not holding India or Australia from visiting Pakistan.

I thought our PM who I don't fancy the most attacked minorities ?How can he protect if he was the
perpetrator ? Wasn't there an suicide bombing attempt on Zimbabwean team outside the stadium when Zimbabwe toured ? Good luck hosting Australia or England. Lets see what they feel about Pakistan.
 
Wish ? You think every Indian wakes up and wishes the worst for Pakistan ? That maybe a norm among Pakistani by the comments and thead I see here but it is not us. India is doing better economically and sports wise why would I wish the worst for Pakistan ? If anything, I feel bad and pity, especially for the poor and minorities. That is where my wish towards Pakistan stops. The truth hurts and the reality hurts. Don't blame me for the mess in your country, i'm not holding India or Australia from visiting Pakistan.

I thought our PM who I don't fancy the most attacked minorities ?How can he protect if he was the
perpetrator ? Wasn't there an suicide bombing attempt on Zimbabwean team outside the stadium when Zimbabwe toured ? Good luck hosting Australia or England. Lets see what they feel about Pakistan.

Thanks for showing for all your fake concern about Pakistan but no one is going to buy your nonsense.

There have been many bombings in Pakistan since 2001 but as your always are glued to Indian media proganda nonsense I need to enlighten you to the fact that the security situation overall has improved a lot in the last 5 years, especially in the major cities.

Yes here comes the "India is doing better economicaly" nonsense line again but how ironic that you don't mention that your county has more people on $1 dollar a day than twice the population of Pakistan.

Oh then you are bringing your " we are doing better at sports". Well at least Pakistan in front of the world brought your chest thumping cricket arrogance down on June 18 that day, that too in front of the world.

You are not fooling anyone in this thread with your pathetic whining comments about Pakistan cricket. Sri Pankanare touring just like the World 11 toured a few weeks ago. You can keep crying and moaning about it but cricket will and is returning.
 
Actually Indians did brought up that we were supposed to go. The terrorists would have been more motivated if our players were there, what is the chance that the bus driver that saved the Sri Lankan team wasn't on duty and it was his friend who was killed in that gun fire ? Listen to that speech where Sangakkara says when he checked back his seat's head rest had a bullet exit hole. Sri lankan players were trained for a situation like this so they acted on it, our players don't go through this survival training. Remember police officers died protecting this team, this would have been a whole different story if a player had actually died despite one player getting shot in the thigh and and another in the head. PP members are weird, they don't care about the past whether it is fixing or near massacre, they only care about satisfying their needs.

Maybe Bollywood should make a movie about what could have happened since some of you Indians talk so much tripe here.

You are such shameless individuals, coming here and lecturing on why Pakistan can not hold cricket.

We will play everyone barring you crybabies and I keep saying Pakistan cricket should boycott and stay away from Indian cricket for as long as possible.

But problem you hypocrites are only too ready to play in Tournaments.
 
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I don't get what some people don't understand about the fact that we're living in 2017, not 2009, and the situation is vastly different from then. What is their timeline for moving on from the past? In 10 more years? 50 years? 100 years? The fact that the situation has vastly changed is the only rational thing that should be driving the decisions, but clinging on to the past would suggest either emotion, or hate, or general irrationality in decision making.

I can understand why Tharanga might not want to tour today and I respect that. That decision is born out of emotion, but the fact that the ground reality has changed significantly means that he should revisit that decision in the near future. If he is unwilling to change his mind in the future even after all knowing that things are completely different now, then I wouldn't be able to respect that decision.
 
Thanks for showing for all your fake concern about Pakistan but no one is going to buy your nonsense.

There have been many bombings in Pakistan since 2001 but as your always are glued to Indian media proganda nonsense I need to enlighten you to the fact that the security situation overall has improved a lot in the last 5 years, especially in the major cities.

Yes here comes the "India is doing better economicaly" nonsense line again but how ironic that you don't mention that your county has more people on $1 dollar a day than twice the population of Pakistan.

Oh then you are bringing your " we are doing better at sports". Well at least Pakistan in front of the world brought your chest thumping cricket arrogance down on June 18 that day, that too in front of the world.

You are not fooling anyone in this thread with your pathetic whining comments about Pakistan cricket. Sri Pankanare touring just like the World 11 toured a few weeks ago. You can keep crying and moaning about it but cricket will and is returning.

Maybe Bollywood should make a movie about what could have happened since some of you Indians talk so much tripe here.

You are such shameless individuals, coming here and lecturing on why Pakistan can not hold cricket.

We will play everyone barring you crybabies and I keep saying Pakistan cricket should boycott and stay away from Indian cricket for as long as possible.

But problem you hypocrites are only too ready to play in Tournaments.

If we hate Pakistanis then Shoaib and Wasim wouldn't visit us frequently. Typical victim mentality, blaming others instead of taking own responsibilities.

Then answer why no one is willing to visit Pakistan ? ZImbabwe came in for money, Sri Lankan players are being forced and we know none of the team that matters will tour anytime soon. Security situation improved ? Wasn't there bomb blast today ? Wasn't a group of minorities in a big city, pulled out of a bus and gunned down couple of months ago or something ? There is a reason why Aussies and England are not touring despite World XL tour ? Why do you need presidential level security to hold a series ?

What do we need to cry about ? What do we gain lol ? We are not the one who is always trying to bring Pakistan Cricket down. it is your PCB president that is whining about "honoring the bilateral agreement " over and over again.

Pakistan beat India fair and squarely, I agree. Caught India on a bad day, while Pakistan had a great day and great momentum from semi-finals. But what does this has to do with Pakistan's security situation ? We have WWE, UFC, Tennis and right now FIFA world cup being played there, how are we not doing well in sports ? We have professional Football to Kabbadi clubs and teams, with sponsors being poured into sports. We even have badminton franchises. You just won one match against us and that is supposed to throw our sporting improvements away ?

Like I said, Indian government is stopping BCCI and India from playing bilaterals with Paksitan, not BCCI.
 
Not mentally ready to go to Pakistan: Tharanga

After previously remaining tight-lipped about not travelling to Pakistan for a T20I later this week, Sri Lanka captain Upul Tharanga opened up on his decision after his side's 5-0 ODI series defeat on Monday.

Tharanga and six other regular players of the Sri Lankan T20I side decided to stay out of Lahore that left them ineligible for all three games - the first two will be played in Abu Dhabi.

Sri Lanka Cricket president Thilanga Sumathipala had told Cricbuzz that one team will play all three games. The Sri Lankan players then made an appeal to Sports Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara to have separate teams for the Abu Dhabi leg and the one off game in Lahore, which was turned down. According to Sri Lanka's Sports Law, the Sports Minster has to approve all teams selected to represent the country.

"It was an individual decision. We chatted to 40 to 45 players and we didn't force anyone to go or not to go. Once the board informed us that we are playing in Lahore, we made a request to change the venue. SLC told us that they are going ahead with the game. We had a chat and we decided to give the freedom to the players to decide," Tharanga said.

"Personally why I opted not to go was, in 2009, I was in the team although I wasn't present in Lahore when the shooting happened. Just before that I was part of the ODI side that went and played in Pakistan. The shooting happened a few weeks later. Back of my mind, the incident troubles me and I am not mentally ready to go to Pakistan at the moment. However, if there's an opportunity in the future, I will certainly consider," Tharanga added.

The seven players were joined by Sri Lanka coach Nic Pothas and physiotherapist Nirmalan Dhanabalasingham. Trainer Nic Lee still remains undecided on touring to Lahore. Tharanga went onto say that no player was pressurized by SLC.

"SLC chatted to us on the issue. But no pressure was put on us. They understood the mental status of the players," he added.

In March 2009, the Sri Lankan team bus came under a terrorist attack injuring several players and support staff. Middle-order batsman Chamara Kapugedera and fast bowler Suranga Lakmal were in the bus and pulled out from the upcoming game. SLC named Thisara Perera as the captain for the T20I series following the pullout from senior players.

http://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-new...haranga-pulls-out-not-mentally-ready-tharanga
 
I still cannot believe some people on here don't get why certain players aren't going to Lahore.

Have some empathy and understand the emotions these players/coaches are going through for goodness sake.
 
I still cannot believe some people on here don't get why certain players aren't going to Lahore.

Have some empathy and understand the emotions these players/coaches are going through for goodness sake.

Well said. Finally a voice of reason.
 
I still cannot believe some people on here don't get why certain players aren't going to Lahore.

Have some empathy and understand the emotions these players/coaches are going through for goodness sake.

Because those people are in Lahore and can see that the ground reality is very different now from 2009.

Secondly only two of the sri lankan players in the current squad were present during the 2009 incident. Sorry but the rest of the squad cannot claim PTSD. If they want to chicken out then that is their choice. But then the members on this forum reserve the right to criticise them for being scaredy cats.

I am glad SLC barred the players who didn't want to go to Lahore from playing the Abu Dhabi T20s. Can't have your cake and eat it too.
 
Because those people are in Lahore and can see that the ground reality is very different now from 2009.

Secondly only two of the sri lankan players in the current squad were present during the 2009 incident. Sorry but the rest of the squad cannot claim PTSD. If they want to chicken out then that is their choice. But then the members on this forum reserve the right to criticise them for being scaredy cats.

I am glad SLC barred the players who didn't want to go to Lahore from playing the Abu Dhabi T20s. Can't have your cake and eat it too.

Point proven.
 
Point proven.

Empathy is given where it is deserved and sorry to say but we are quite fed up of these "nakhray" of foreign teams despite having proven ourselves with hosting the PSL final and the World XI series.
 
Empathy is given where it is deserved and sorry to say but we are quite fed up of these "nakhray" of foreign teams despite having proven ourselves with hosting the PSL final and the World XI series.

Nakhray? Really?

What have you proven?Are Eng Aus NZ willing to tour Pakistan?Everyone is free to decide if he should risk his life or not.
 
Empathy is given where it is deserved and sorry to say but we are quite fed up of these "nakhray" of foreign teams despite having proven ourselves with hosting the PSL final and the World XI series.

Who are you to judge their emotions, their families unwillingness to let their loved ones travel to somewhere they feel is still not ready to see cricket?

It's easy to judge someone when you don't have a dime in their collective responsibility.

If they don't want to travel, so be it. Move on. Don't let anger and an obvious bias cloud your opinion about them.

You're not really helping matters either. Force isn't something that should be considered in anyway shape or form. It's freedom of choice they've exacted. The least anyone can do is respect it.
 
Nakhray? Really?

What have you proven?Are Eng Aus NZ willing to tour Pakistan?Everyone is free to decide if he should risk his life or not.

We have proven that we can host foreign teams. And if the foreign teams choose not to come in spite of that then we can only mock and shame their cowardice. Don't expect us to be lovey dovey for those for whom we bend over backwards to facilitate them yet they turn us down.
 
Who are you to judge their emotions, their families unwillingness to let their loved ones travel to somewhere they feel is still not ready to see cricket?

It's easy to judge someone when you don't have a dime in their collective responsibility.

If they don't want to travel, so be it. Move on. Don't let anger and an obvious bias cloud your opinion about them.

You're not really helping matters either. Force isn't something that should be considered in anyway shape or form. It's freedom of choice they've exacted. The least anyone can do is respect it.

No one is forcing them here. Only criticising their choice.
 
We have proven that we can host foreign teams. And if the foreign teams choose not to come in spite of that then we can only mock and shame their cowardice. Don't expect us to be lovey dovey for those for whom we bend over backwards to facilitate them yet they turn us down.

They are under no compulsion to tour Pakistan.Neither they are to show bravado according to your whims.

Handful of international players toured Pakistan that too after being paid 100k usd.

The players havent asked you to bend over or whatever.You cannot decide for them if its safe or not.

Your sense of entitlement is astonishing.
 
They are under no compulsion to tour Pakistan.Neither they are to show bravado according to your whims.

Handful of international players toured Pakistan that too after being paid 100k usd.

The players havent asked you to bend over or whatever.You cannot decide for them if its safe or not.

Your sense of entitlement is astonishing.

International bodies including the ICC have determined it is safe. After this the players really have no excuse to perceive touring Pakistan to be unsafe.
 
If it was anybody except a Sri Lankan player who still refused, I would not understand. But the choice is ultimately up to the individual.
 
International bodies including the ICC have determined it is safe. After this the players really have no excuse to perceive touring Pakistan to be unsafe.

Its personal freedom to determine if xyz place is worth the risk or not.No one should be criticised for not going to a place, where the city has to be in closed down to hold a match.

Can you even ask Aus Eng NZ to tour?
 
I never said their decision to opt out is illegal. I only criticised it based on my RIGHT to do so.

I never mentioned "illegal". Don't know where you're getting that from.

Have an opinion, but to criticise someone for not going is rather idiotic. There's no reason to critique a person that is thinking about his own safety and his family doing the same.

Anyway, I can't be bothered wasting any more time in posting the same stuff over, and over again.
 
Its personal freedom to determine if xyz place is worth the risk or not.No one should be criticised for not going to a place, where the city has to be in closed down to hold a match.

Can you even ask Aus Eng NZ to tour?

I am sure after the world xi series they will be asked to tour for T20 games when it is our turn to host them. But its unlikely they will turn up.
 
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Anyways, just get over it. There'll always be players reluctant to tour. You can't just go on crucifying them. It's their personal decision, just leave them alone. I'm sure there will be players willing to tour, that's more than good news.
 
If Pakistani players were to cite growing racism following Brexit and rising Islamophobia and pull out of tours to England, the entire world would laugh and say they are being silly.

Likewise in Pakistan we are in 2017 not 2009. Anyone who claims that the security is not adequate is being silly.
 
If Pakistani players were to cite growing racism following Brexit and rising Islamophobia and pull out of tours to England, the entire world would laugh and say they are being silly.

Likewise in Pakistan we are in 2017 not 2009. Anyone who claims that the security is not adequate is being silly.
The English team who stayed in India despite the Mumbai attacks is an example where money trumps logic and ethics.
 
The English team who stayed in India despite the Mumbai attacks is an example where money trumps logic and ethics.

Players were not attacked in India.India has held variety of international events apart from cricket.

This whining victim mentality wont solve your issues.
 
Players were not attacked in India.India has held variety of international events apart from cricket.

This whining victim mentality wont solve your issues.

It's funny actually. Not a single touring player has suffered even a scratch in India, period. Yet some Pak fans have the nerve to compare the 2009 attacks with anything related to India.
 
It's funny actually. Not a single touring player has suffered even a scratch in India, period. Yet some Pak fans have the nerve to compare the 2009 attacks with anything related to India.
It's about the principle. Let go off your flag and think logically. No doubt several English players were made to stay in India despite the attacks.
 
It's about the principle. Let go off your flag and think logically. No doubt several English players were made to stay in India despite the attacks.

No, they left immediately when the attacks took place and the last couple of ODI matches were called off, one of them scheduled in my home town. They returned for the Test series however after the attacks were over and things were under control.
 
It's about the principle. Let go off your flag and think logically. No doubt several English players were made to stay in India despite the attacks.

First of all they didnot stay they went back and then again cane for the test series.

Secondly you have zero proof that they were forced.

Third as i pointed out India regularly holds international events other than cricket so your statements hold little credibility.
 
First of all they didnot stay they went back and then again cane for the test series.

Secondly you have zero proof that they were forced.

Third as i pointed out India regularly holds international events other than cricket so your statements hold little credibility.

One can assume that IPL contracts lured the players to come back. But then again it's the BCCI's credibility that they can offer something to players that can make them change their minds without anyone pressurizing them. They were under no compulsion and they decided to come back on their own.
 
I can understand their reluctance to not come to Pakistan, Albeit dissapointing as I would love to have seen them there but totally understand. Considering we held the World XI games in Pakistan without any issues and that too some prominent players coming to Pak its indeed ashame that some of the sri lankans are deciding not to come. However Im not critical of them not coming.
 
One can assume that IPL contracts lured the players to come back. But then again it's the BCCI's credibility that they can offer something to players that can make them change their minds without anyone pressurizing them. They were under no compulsion and they decided to come back on their own.

2008.No english player played in IPL.
 
Thank you to the Sri Lankan players who turned up. As for the ones who didn't, I hope they realise how baseless their fears were and reconsider for the future.
 
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