Ten Sri Lankan cricketers decide against touring Pakistan

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) on Monday held a meeting with players, who were chosen as part of a preliminary squad to select the team, which will be touring Pakistan to play limited-overs series starting from September 27 to October 9, 2019.

According to the press release issued by the SLC, the meeting was aimed at informing the players about the security arrangements, during the forthcoming tour and also to find out their ‘decision’ (either taking part or not), before selectors sit for the selection of squads for the ODI and T20I series.

Former Sri Lanka Air Force Commander Roshan Goonetileke, who is the Chief Security Advisor of the SLC, briefed the players about the security situation in Pakistan and the security arrangements the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) plans on implementing during Sri Lanka team’s tour of that country, whilst Chairman of the National Selection Panel Mr. Asantha De Mel, explained that players will be given the freedom to decide on either taking part or not in the forthcoming Pakistan tour.

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Hence, ten players have decided against touring Pakistan for the upcoming series.

These players included Niroshan Dickwella, Kusal Janith Perera,Dhananjaya De Silva, Thisara Perera, Akila Dhananjaya, Lasith Malinga, Angelo Mathews, Suranga Lakmal, Dinesh Chandimal and Dimuth Karunaratne.

While middle-order batsman Kusal Mendis is not available for selection due to an injury he suffered during the New Zealand series.

On the other hand, top-order batsman Danushka Gunathilaka said he believed security would be adequate.

"From what they told us, I think there will be very tight security," Gunathilaka said.

Following the meeting with the players, the National Selectors, selected a T20I and ODI squad to tour Pakistan, which will be announced in due course.