Pak Cricket Board nowhere to hide after SL's 'fed up in hotel' reveal

PCB has expressed its disappointment at Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) chief, Shammi Silva's remark that his team felt stifled by strict security arrangements during ir recently-concluded tour of Pakistan.  On returning to Colombo, Silva h reportedly told media that Sri Lankan players were fed up with being confined to ir hotel for three to four days in Pakistan.

Sri Lankan team played a three-match ODI series in Karachi followed by a three-match T20 series in Lahore, where y registered a historic 3-0 win over top-ranked hosts.

A Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) source said top officials h communicated ir displeasure with SLC after learning about Silva's comments. " PCB is very disappointed and hurt over such comments as presidential level security was provided to visiting team on insistence of ir board. We wanted to make ir stay as comfortable as possible," source said. 

RE| Pakistan Must Prosecute LeT Top Operatives, Chief Hafiz Saeed: US

visitors were without 10 of ir main players who opted out of tour due to security concerns but squ was accompanied by SLC President and Secretary and Sri Lankan Sports Minister. ir withdrawal came at backdrop of attack on Sri Lankan team by gunmen when island nation toured Pakistan in 2009. 

source said PCB has reminded Lankan board officials that players were given option of going out to play golf and do some shopping while y were also entertained at official dinners and functions. Silva's remarks have come as a surprise for PCB which is keen to build on recent tour and have full Sri Lankan team play two Tests of ICC World Championship in Pakistan in December.

PCB is also trying to host entire edition of fifth Pakistan Super League in country besides inviting Banglesh to play its Test series in Pakistan. source ded that although some strong security measures were in place for visiting players but remarks such as y were "fed-up" after being confined to ir hotel were t fair. 

RE| Asia Cup: PCB To Wait For BCCI's Confirmation Till June 2020

Shahid Afridi blames 'IPL'

Shahid Afridi was a part of w-defunct Deccan Chargers during inaugural edition of Indian Premier League (IPL). However, he has w come forward and accused premier franchise tournament of threatening Sri Lankan players to t award m contracts should y tour Pakistan and that is reason why players are backing out of tour. 

"Sri Lankan players are under pressure from IPL franchises. I spoke to Sri Lankan players last time when re was talk of m coming to Pakistan and playing in PSL. y said y wanted to come, but IPL guys say if you go to Pakistan we won't give you a contract," claimed Shahid Afridi.

"Pakistan's always supported Sri Lanka, it never happened that we h a tour of Sri Lanka and our players rested. Sri Lanka's board should put pressure on ir contracted players to go to Pakistan. Sri Lankan players who'll come will always be remembered in Pakistan's history", he ded.

RE| Rajnath Singh To Pak PM: Will Send Army To Combat Terror In Pakistan

RE| Gautam Gambhir Slams Shahid Afridi, Hints At His Brainlessness

(With PTI inputs)