Pakistani cricketers play a role in dispelling the Sri Lankan team’s concerns

KARACHI:

Pakistani cricketers also played a role in dispelling the Sri Lankan team’s concerns. Several senior players assured them that security is excellent, Pakistan’s three captains were also present during the meeting between the officials and the visiting players.

According to details, the Sri Lankan cricketers had decided to return home midway through their tour of Pakistan after the Islamabad blast. However, due to the efforts of PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and other key figures, the series continued.

Sources said that many Pakistani players made strong efforts to persuade the Sri Lankan team to stay, believing that if the visitors left, it would cause irreparable damage to Pakistan cricket. The players personally spoke with them, assuring that security was foolproof and urging them to complete the tour with confidence: “We are here too; if there was any danger, we wouldn’t stay either. Everything will be fine.”

During the meeting between senior officials and the Sri Lankan players, Pakistan’s ODI captain Shaheen Shah Afridi, Test captain Shan Masood, and T20I captain Salman Ali Agha were present.

Sources further revealed that four senior Sri Lankan cricketers had the greatest security concerns — including captain Charith Asalanka, Kusal Mendis, and Wanindu Hasaranga — and they initially wanted to return home immediately. However, after being given assurances of foolproof security, they changed their minds.

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi held a one-and-a-half-hour meeting with the visiting players to address all their concerns. During this time, the Sri Lankan Cricket Board also maintained a positive attitude and clearly instructed its team to complete the tour under all circumstances before returning home.