Terrorist threat had cast doubts over the Islanders’ tour, later this month
13 September, 2019
PHOTO: Reuters
Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed has encouraged Sri Lankan team to visit Pakistan, for the limited-overs series later this month.
According to details, a terrorist threat had cast doubts over the Islanders’ tour of Pakistan but Sarfaraz believes that security situation in the country is conducive for international cricket.
“I request Sri Lankan team to visit Pakistan,” said Sarfaraz while talking to media in Karachi ahead of the 2019-20 domestic season. “The security situation in the country is also considerably improved. I hope that the Sri Lankan team tours Pakistan as per schedule.”
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The 32-year-old also urged International Cricket Council (ICC) and other member countries to support Pakistan’s cause.
“The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has worked tirelessly for the return of international cricket in Pakistan. We would appreciate if ICC and other member boards support our cause as well. We have always supported other boards by visiting their countries. Even recently we sent our Under-19 team to Sri Lanka soon after the Easter attacks in Colmobo,” he said.
Sri Lanka’s scheduled tour of Pakistan hit another major roadblock, as Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) sought the assistance of the Sri Lankan government to conduct a ‘Reassessment’ of the security situation in Pakistan ahead of the tour according to an update by the SLC.
The assistance was sought after the SLC received a warning from the Prime Minister’s Office, sent via the Ministry of Telecommunication, Foreign Employment and Sports.
The warning highlighted that the Prime Minister’s Office has received reliable information of a possible terrorist threat on the Sri Lanka team, while touring Pakistan.
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The wicketkeeper-batsman, who will lead Sindh in the Quaid-e-Azam (QeA) Trophy first-class tournament that begins on Saturday, September 14, 2019, also spoke about the changes brought in Pakistan’s domestic structure.
“We need to give time to the new domestic structure before it comes good. We need to make our domestic cricket competitive and this is a step in the right direction,” he said. “The use of Kookaburra balls will also aid our bowlers as the previously used duke balls went out of shape quickly at times.”
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