SLC agrees to play the third T20I in Lahore

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has agreed to play the third and final T20 International of the series in Lahore at Gaddafi Stadium. The game was in doubt after 40 cricketers of Sri Lanka had requested their board to change the venue and had also refused to tour Pakistan. But the chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board has confirmed that the match will go ahead as planned before and the visitors have agreed to visit the country.

Earlier on Sunday, it was reported by Cricbuzz that the support staff of the Sri Lankan team was willing to travel Lahore after having a conversation with the coach Mickey Arthur. Also, the stance of some of the cricketers was softened after that. However, the chief of Sri Lanka Cricket had also made it clear that the players who are willing to tour Pakistan will only be picked for the T20I series. This is a good news for Pakistan fans and finally, an official international team will play the game in their country for the first time after 2009.

ICC satisfied with the security arrangements

Najam Sethi cleared the air on Monday and said that Thilanga Sumathipala has confirmed that the team will play the third T20 in Lahore on October 29 according to dunyanews.tv. He was talking to journalists on his arrival at the Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport from New Zealand after attending the ICC meeting. He also said that he has asked the concerned authorities to make arrangements for the third T20 between Pakistan and Sri Lanka at the Gaddafi Stadium.

International Cricket Council (ICC) is already satisfied with the security arrangements for the match at Gaddafi Stadium and will send a match referee and an anti-corruption official. The Pakistan Cricket Board(PCB)  has assured the team security similar to that of Heads of State. SLC has cleared that they understood the players’ concern but will conduct their own security assessment. The match is scheduled to be played in Lahore on October 29 which will conclude the tour of Sri Lanka.