Sri Lanka are due to visit the international cricket-starved country as part of the ICC’s Future Tours Programme (FTP) but security concerns in Pakistan has left a question mark hanging over the tour.
The island’s cricketers left halfway through their last tour of Pakistan after an attack on the team bus left at least eight people dead while injuring several others. The Sri Lankan team members suffered injuries and cancelled their tour following which Pakistan were removed as co-hosts of the ongoing World Cup besides failing to earn the rights to any major ICC event until 2015.
However, the SLC chief has given some hope for the revival. “We don’t have any issues in touring Pakistan,” said De Silva. “All we need is a green signal from the ICC.
“We have some concerns right now but hopefully the situation will improve in the coming days.”
The statement by de Silva, however, contradicted the ICC’s General Manager on Cricket Dave Richardson who recently said the governing body will not make decisions or dictate terms to teams about playing in Pakistan.
“It’s up to the Pakistan board to convince international teams about their security and the ICC cannot direct other countries,” said Richardson.
SLC defends Hambantota as venue
Meanwhile, SLC chief defended holding World Cup matches at Mahinda Rajapaksa Stadium in the remote village of Hambantota where Pakistan opted not to practice ahead of their match against Kenya following a hectic journey.
“The idea was to bring cricket in villages. We’re proud to build a stadium of international standard and are looking to hold quarters, semis or the final of the World Twenty20 in 2012 at this venue.”
Published in The Express Tribune, February 24th, 2011.
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