Ramiz Raja manifests dismay over 10 Sri Lanka cricketers who declined to travel to Pakistan
Ten Sri Lanka players withdrew from their upcoming tour against Pakistan looking at security concerns. The cricketers who decided not to travel to Pakistan are Lasith Malinga and ODI skipper Dimuth Karunaratne.
The Sri Lanka cricket teams found themselves at the receiving end during a series in Pakistan in March 2009 when their team bus was attacked by terrorist. The circumstances was critical that the players had to be airlifted from the stadium.
Since then Pakistan has been sidelined to host any international match. They were also deprived of their hosting rights of the 2011 World Cup which was held in the sub-continent. Sri Lanka cricket team are to play three ODIs and Three T20Is in Karachi and Lahore during their series, which will begin from 27th September. The two sides are also scheduled to play in two match Test series in UAE in December.
Don’t know what to read into 10 Sri Lankan players pulling out of Pak tour. Disappointing! And couple of them then opting instead to play franchise cricket. Wow!
— Ramiz Raja (@iramizraja) September 10, 2019
The Pakistan team have manifested their disappointment with the Sri Lankan player’s decision. While on the other hand Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have stated that this is Sri Lanka’s internal matter and they will welcome whatever the visiting team will decide. Former Pakistan skipper Ramiz Raja was not content with the occurrence.
Ramiz Raja manifested his dismay through a tweet stating: “Don’t know what to read into 10 Sri Lankan players pulling out of Pak tour. Disappointing! And couple of them then opting instead to play franchise cricket, Wow!”
Apart from Lasith Malinga and Dimuth Karunaratne, the eight others are Angelo Mathews, Thisara Perera, Niroshan Dikwella, Kushal Perera, Dhananjaya, Akila Dhananjaya, Dinesh Chindimal and Lakmal.
Since 2009 attack, this will be Sri Lanka’s second vist to Pakistan, In 2017, Thisara Perera had captained the side in T20I match in Lahore.
First published: 11 September 2019, 12:51 IST
