Pakistan's bid to spread fake news about India hit its lowest point after Pakistan minister Fawad Hussain accused India of threatening Sri Lankan players of exclusion from the Indian Premier League if they visited Pakistan for the series. Sri Lanka, who are scheduled to play against Pakistan later this month, were victims of the 2009 bus attacks in Lahore after which international cricket ceased to be played in Pakistan. Although Pakistan Cricket Board has made efforts to revive international contests in the country, it has hit a dead-end often because of the lack of security and growing threat of terrorists. Pakistan has been baselessly accusing India and has peddled fake news and false propaganda against India, led by Prime Minister Imran Khan. Several Pakistan politicians and army officials have resorted to sharing fake news about India on the internet, attempting to garner global attention to an internal issue of India's. 

Pakistani neta accuses India of threatening Sri Lankan players

Pakistan's Fawad Choudhary made a bizarre claim and accused India of threatening Sri Lankan players of exclusion from the Indian Premier League if they participated in the tour of Pakistan. The Pakistani neta cited that some 'informed sports commentators' had conveyed to him that India had blackmailed the Sri Lankan players. Fawad Hussain further went on to say that India should 'halt its jingoism' from sports to space and even slammed the sports authorities of India. Fawad Hussain has been caught red-handed peddling fake news against India earlier as well. See Fawad Hussain's tweet here:

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Kiren Rijiju reacts to Pakistan's accusation

'I do not know much about the details. If the security is concerned, then it is the duty of the Pakistan government to provide security to the players. If the concerns raised by players for security, it is on the Pakistan government only to ensure them and provide it properly. Pakistan government should take care of the security", said Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju. 

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Meeting held by SLC

The meeting was aimed to inform the players about the security arrangements, during the forthcoming tour and also to find out their decision whether to take part in the tour or not before selectors sat for the selection of squads for the ODI and T20I series. During the meeting, Former Sri Lanka Air Force Commander, Marshal Air Roshan Goonetileke, who is currently the Chief Security Advisor of the SLC, briefed the players about the security situation in Pakistan and the security arrangements made by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) during Sri Lanka team’s tour of their country. Also, Mr. Asantha De Mel, chairman of the National Selection Panel spoke about the explained about the selection policy for future tours to the players. 

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Sri Lankan players refused to travel to Pakistan

Earlier, the senior Sri Lankan players including captain Dimuth Karunaratne, Lasith Malinga and Angelo Matthews had refused to tour Pakistan for a limited-over series later this month that had left the PCB authorities worried. Though the PCB had made no official comment on the senior Sri Lankan players' availability, sources in the board said they were in touch with the Sri Lankan board officials and Sports Minister Harin Fernando. Sri Lankan officials had reportedly made several trips to Pakistan to ensure the security arrangements made for their players. However, despite multiple level clearances, senior Sri Lankan players had expressed inconveniences in travelling to Pakistan, fearing terror strikes and security lapses. 

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