Published 21:42 IST, September 9th 2019
Sri Lanka Cricket: 10 players opt out of Pak tour over security fears
The Sri Lanka Cricket said that 10 players will not be taking part in the Pakistan Tour which will commence from September 27 to October 9 over security fears
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Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) on Monday anunced list of players who will t be taking part in Pakistan Tour which will commence from September 27. SLC held a meeting with players on Monday, who were chosen as part of a preliminary squad that will be touring Pakistan to play 03 ODIs and 03 T20I matches. According to an official, players were given freedom to decide wher to take part in forthcoming Pakistan tour or t.
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Meeting held by SLC
meeting was aimed to inform players about security arrangements, during forthcoming tour and also to find out ir decision wher to take part in tour or t before selectors sat for selection of squads for ODI and T20I series. During meeting, Former Sri Lanka Air Force Commander, Marshal Air Roshan Goonetileke, who is currently Chief Security Advisor of SLC, briefed players about security situation in Pakistan and security arrangements made by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) during Sri Lanka team’s tour of ir country. Also, Mr. Asantha De Mel, chairman of National Selection Panel spoke about explained about selection policy for future tours to players.
players who have boycotted Pakistan series
Niroshan Dickwella
Kusal Janith Perera
Dhananjaya De Silva
Thisara Perera
Akila Dhananjaya
Lasith Malinga
Angelo Maws
Suranga Lakmal
Dinesh Chandimal
Dimuth Karunaratne
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Kusal Mendis was absent for selection process due to an injury he had suffered during New Zealand Series. After players decided to t participate in Pakistan Tour, national selectors selected a new T20I and ODI squad to tour Pakistan, and respective squads are being sent for approval to Minister of Telecommunication, Foreign Employment and Sports Horable Harin Fernando in due course.
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Sri Lankan players refused to travel to Pakistan
Earlier, senior Sri Lankan players including captain Dimuth Karunaratne, Lasith Malinga and Angelo Matws had refused to tour Pakistan for a limited-over series later this month that had left PCB authorities worried. Though PCB had made official comment on senior Sri Lankan players' availability, sources in board said y were in touch with Sri Lankan board officials and Sports Minister Harin Fernando. Sri Lankan officials had reportedly made several trips to Pakistan to ensure security arrangements made for ir players. However, despite multiple level clearances, senior Sri Lankan players had expressed inconveniences in traveling to Pakistan, fearing terror strikes and security lapses.
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20:19 IST, September 9th 2019