SLC confident about security arrangements in Pakistan, reveals official

After multiple turns of events, with regard to Sri Lanka cricket team's tour of Pakistan in September, the board remains hopeful of going ahead with it after being assured about the security situation in the host country. However, according to what an official said on Wednesday, the SLC will have to wait for the final all-clear from the national defence ministry.

Earlier, the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) secretary Mohan de Silva said he was satisfied with the security arrangements of Pakistan. However, an alert from the Prime Minister's office had reported a possible terror attack and since then the defence ministry is up for investigation. Even before this, ten senior players had already opted out of the tour citing security concerns.

“Earlier last month I visited Pakistan along with our security consultant and we were satisfied with the arrangements. They have promised security reserved for a head of state,” Mohan de Silva said.

Despite all the tensions, the board did not call off the tour and instead asked the Sri Lankan government to reassess the security arrangements in Pakistan and have a final say on the tour. While the SLC are still hopeful but unsure of the tour, the PCB had made it clear that it will not be shifting the series to a neutral venue. The tour will be consisting of three ODIs and as many T20Is in Karachi and Lahore and is scheduled to be played from September 27 and October 9.