Kumar Sangakkara hopes teams continue touring Sri Lanka, unlike Pakistan
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Kumar Sangakkara is optimistic that teams continue touring Sri Lanka, unlike Pakistan, despite the safety concerns post the Easter attacks on Churches which killed 250 and injured 500. England are scheduled to tour the island country for a Test series in Colombo and Galle in March next year.
Sri Lanka had endured one of the longest and most violent civil war which ended only in 2009. Despite such horrific circumstances, the one time World champions had been hosting other nations back then. There were terror attacks recently in Sri Lanka which have again put the country’s future with respect to hosting games in a doubt.Â
Pakistan is another nation where other teams do not tour after an attack on the Sri Lankan team bus back in 2009. Kumar Sangakkara, who recently became the first non British to preside MCC, hoped that the same does not repeat in his nation and is optimistic that England will tour Sri Lanka in March next year.
"I was in the bus in 2009 when the Sri Lanka team got attacked and I understand the reservations and the security concerns that come after such an incident or even as an observer looking from the outside in. We need a very open conversation with the necessary security aspects that are in place, make sure there are independent assessments done, that the boards connect openly and fully," Sangakkara said on Thursday, reported AFP.Â
"We always talk about cricket transcending politics and that has to be the case with tours, as long as security and safety is assured, and there is an honest commitment from every country to put those security measures in place,” he added.
He even spoke about the upcoming World Cup in England and Wales, starting May 30. England had crashed out of the first round in the previous edition of the showpiece event but are tagged as the favourites this time. The legendary cricketer feels that the number one ranked side have revolutionised their approach since then.
"Since 2015 England have changed their mindset about how they play their cricket and that has revolutionised their performances," the 41-year-old expressed.
West Indies have gone ahead with their strongest squad after the change in management. Pakistan, on the other hand, are a mercurial side and have put up surprising performances at ICC events in the past. The former Sri Lanka skipper did not rule them out of the race to the trophy.
"The West Indies are an incredible T20 side and it's great to see they're more open to their best players representing them. A strong West Indies side means strong world cricket. Pakistan are always inconsistent but if they get to the play-offs, they can beat any side in the world,” Sangakkara signed off.
