Sri Lanka likely to play one-off Test against Pakistan in Lahore

Back in 2009, the Sri Lankan cricket team was a witness to an attack on their team bus in Lahore, which saw a number of their players getting injured. Ever since, cricket in Pakistan has gone in the doldrums with a number of sides still reluctant to travel the war-stricken country. In the meantime, it has been learned that the Lankans may return to Pakistan to play at least one Test match.

The two teams were earlier scheduled to play at a neutral venue, but the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) sent a security delegation to visit Pakistan. The same was after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) gave them an offer to play one match in their country, which will be the first of the World Test Championship.

SLC delegations give positive feedback

The Test Championship has already gotten underway with the Ashes and the series between Sri Lanka and New Zealand. As far as the red-ball fixture in Pakistan is concerned, the security delegation gave SLC “very positive feedback” upon its return from Lahore and Karachi.

“The feedback we got from the security team was very positive. We’ll be talking to the PCB about some alternatives before we arrive at a decision. The government will be consulted as well,” SLC CEO Ashley de Silva was quoted as saying in ESPNcricinfo.

Back in October 2017, Sri Lanka played a solitary T20I at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, the very venue where they had to face the wrath of the militants a decade ago. However, the contest didn’t include a number of prominent names, who didn’t travel to Pakistan owing to security concerns.

Back in 2015, Zimbabwe toured Pakistan and that marked the return of international cricket in the nation. Later the World XI played a T20I series in the nation. Last year in April, the Windies played a three-match series in Pakistan. Even the PSL is starting to make its way into the country.

In the first edition, the entire PSL took place in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). But gradually the tournament authorities are trying to bring it back to the home country. Reports also have suggested that the next edition of the T20 tournament may be entirely played in Pakistan.

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