Reports: Senior Sri Lanka players agree to play Tests in Pakistan

Very recently, Sri Lanka team toured Pakistan for an ODI and a T20I series. While the hosts managed to clinch the 50-over format, it was the visitors who reigned supreme in the shortest format. Even though there was happiness about cricket returning to Pakistan after a long while, it wasn’t really a full circle. Citing security reasons, many of the senior Sri Lankan players including ODI and Test skipper Dimuth Karunaratne opted out. This was quite a bummer and not really what the fans hoped for.

However, there seems to be some positive news coming from the Island nation now. The players, who opted out of the Pakistan tour earlier, have expressed their willingness to travel to the country later this year. For the two Test matches that will be played in December, the senior cricketers are expected to be a part of the squad. As reported by Daily Mirror, a couple of trusted sources have confirmed the same.

Senior Sri Lanka players give their consent

Apparently, the likes of Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera and Niroshan Dickwella were consulted by the Sri Lanka team manager and tour selector, Ashantha de Mel. Also, SLC CEO Ashley de Silva had a word with Dimuth Karunaratne, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal amongst a few other players who are currently in Australia. It is learnt that the consent from these players has been obtained. It seems that the senior players are not willing to be isolated by not traveling to Pakistan.

“The senior players have understood the importance of touring Pakistan now. They have understood that if they don’t travel with solid security guaranteed and other players will grab the opportunity if given a chance. They (the seniors) don’t want to be isolated”, explaining the change of heart by these players, the source added.

It has also been informed that the Test matches are proposed to be played in Rawalpindi and Karachi. The Sri Lanka squad for this tour will be announced next month.

“The two Tests are proposed to be played in Rawalpindi and Karachi. Our team will leave on December 8 (Colombo-Dubai-Islamabad), two days before the first Test and return immediately within a fortnight after the second Test”, the source further added.

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