We assure the safety and security of the Sri Lankan team, says the foreign secretary of Pakistan

Sri Lanka is all set to become the first international team to travel Pakistan since 2009 as they will play the third T20I in Lahore. The cricket board of Sri Lanka has agreed to play a lone game in the country despite the players raising their concerns over the safety in Pakistan. Interestingly, Sri Lanka was the last team to visit the country when the militants attacked the team bus which was on its way to Gaddafi Stadium. However, the foreign secretary of Pakistan has assured complete safety and has assured them they would feel like home in the country.

The top players like Upul Tharanga, Angelo Mathews and Lasith Malinga have already pulled themselves out of the series citing security concerns. Thisara Perera who travelled with the World XI side to Pakistan last month is likely to be named as the skipper of the squad which will be declared on Friday. Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) is still convincing some of its players for the tour and they are hopeful of more players to agree.

Our people will cheer for both teams

The foreign secretary of Pakistan Tehmina Janjua is confident of the security arrangements in place for the game. She was also glad that Sri Lanka had decided to visit Pakistan for a cricket match. “Sri Lanka should not entertain any fears over its cricket team visiting Lahore. We are glad that Sri Lanka has decided to visit Pakistan. Our people will cheer for both teams. Have no security fears we assure the safety and security for the visit,” she said.

The third and final T20I of the three-match series is scheduled to be played in Lahore at Gaddafi Stadium on October 29. But the game was in jeopardy when 40 of the contracted players of Sri Lanka wrote a letter to their board and requested to change the venue of the game. But things were sorted out since then even as the coach of Pakistan Mickey Arthur spoke to the support staff of the team and ensured them of the security in the country.