Playing Test in Pakistan will depend on availability of senior players, clarifies Sri Lanka Cricket
Sri Lanka Cricket has clarified that they will only be able to play their Test championship games in Pakistan if senior players make themselves available. Currently, Sri Lanka are playing a three-match ODI series, but 10 of their main players refused to travel Pakistan, citing security concerns.
Although the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had initially invited SLC to play two Tests of the ICC Test Championship in Karachi and Lahore, the visitors instead opted to play a limited-overs series of three ODIs and as many T20 matches, keeping the Test championship on hold. Sri Lanka are satisfied with the level of security on offer in Pakistan but made it clear that the World Test Championship scheduled to be held in December based on the availability of their senior players.
"The security for this series has been top-notch and we have no complaints. But for the Tests we have to think because we are playing the World Test Championship and if three or four players who are in the Test team refuse to come, we will then have to see and take a call," SLC president Shammi de Silva told reporters.
Sri Lanka sports minister Harin Fernando and a top-level delegation of SLC including president de Silva and secretary Mohan de Silva are currently in Pakistan to assess the security for their team. The sports minister said the Sri Lankan players who have travelled to Pakistan can vouch for the security.
"We have to respect their (the Lankan players, who refused to travel) decisions. But the players who have come on the tour have played inside and out of national team and they could put pressure on the senior players," Fernando said.
"We initially wanted to play just three T20 matches in Pakistan but then we felt we need to support Pakistan more. We wanted to go ahead with the tour because the team has to move on," he added.
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