Sri Lanka should come to Lahore, says Sarfraz Ahmed

Pakistan skipper says recent World XI tour's success means Islanders have nothing to worry

Pakistan skipper Sarfraz Ahmed believes Sri Lanka have nothing to worry about if they visit Lahore for the third T20I.

On Saturday, 40 Sri Lankan players signed a letter which was sent to the country's board requesting a change of venue from Lahore to a neutral one for the third and final T20I.

In a press conference, before the second ODI against Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi, Sarfraz was asked for his comments on the development.

"As such there is no issue," said Sarfraz. "I don't know what is happening [in the Sri Lanka camp]. Their team should come. The recent World XI tour was successful, so they should not be worried."

Sarfraz urged the Sri Lankan players to follow Thisara Perera's example, who played for the World XI in Lahore, and reportedly did not sign the letter sent by the players to the Sri Lankan Cricket.

"Their players did come [with the World XI], Thisara Perera came and played. Their team should visit and I hope they do come," he said.

Earlier on Saturday, ESPNcricinfo reported that the mood in the Sri Lankan dressing room is that of firm objection against the visit to Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore for the one-off match.

“I don’t think the players will change their stance,” said one cricketer as quoted by ESPNcricinfo who was among the 40 contracted players who signed the letter.

When contacted, a Pakistan Cricket Board official had told The Express Tribune: “The Sri Lankan cricket board gave us a go ahead after the ICC meeting, so they will not back off from their word. All the players will have to listen to the board, but if a player resists from visiting then replacements will be sent. Whatever happens, a Sri Lankan team will visit Pakistan.”

Meanwhile, SLC CEO Ashley de Silva had told ESPNcricinfo that players’ security remained the board’s primary concern, and that “a decision will be made at the ex-co meeting taking into account all the security information”.

However, SLC president Thilanga Sumathipala is keen to send the team to Pakistan and the board is expected to negotiate with the players in order to convince them to travel to Lahore.

‘Can’t let down closest ally Pakistan’

Pakistan is the closest ally to Sri Lanka and the former board is not ready to put relations in any jeopardy, a SLC source told Cricbuzz.

He added that the SLC does not want to disturb the players during the ODI series but there is no other way at the moment.

“SLC will have a quick chat with the players very soon,” said the source. “We don’t intend to disturb them in the middle of a series, but we are left with no option but to address the issue. The ICC also will meet theplayers on Saturday to brief them about the situation in Lahore.”

The source added: “We are looking at all possibilities. Pakistan has been one our closest allies and we don’t want to let them down.”

The Islanders are currently playing a five-match ODI series against Pakistan in the UAE where they are 1-0 down courtesy Babar Azam’s century on Friday.