Sri Lanka to return to Pakistan to play limited-over matches
10 years after the terrorist attacks in Pakistan and for the first time since 2017, the Lankans are set to return to the country again to play three limited-over matches. While the tour also consists of two Tests, it is highly likely to be played in Pakistan due to security concerns.
The Sri Lankan cricket team are all set to return to Pakistan again to play three limited-over matches later this year. The series will also mark the return of international cricket to Pakistan after a one-year hiatus. Earlier in 2018, the Windies toured Pakistan for a three-match T20I series, which the hosts won 3-0.
However, two Test matches which were also scheduled to be a part of the tour, will reportedly not be played in Pakistan due to security concerns and will most likely be shifted to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
“We are not in a position to send the team to Pakistan to play the two Tests, but we will be in Pakistan for about eight days to play the ODIs or the T20 matches,” Harin Fernando, a minister, told reporters in Colombo, reported Hindustan Times.
Despite the dates not having been finalized yet, the series is expected to be played out later this year.
In 2017, Sri Lanka and Pakistan played one match of their three-match T20 series in Lahore. Since 2009, Zimbabwe and West Indies are the other two countries to have toured Pakistan, apart from ICC World XI.