Sri Lanka rejects reports of Pakistan tour

The Sri Lanka cricket officials have denied any plans of touring Pakistan next year. The announcement has come in at a time when the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was hoping to revive international cricket in the out-of-favor international venue Pakistan. All reports based on the same were rejected by the Ministry of Sports of the island nation and the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC).

They clearly mentioned that they have no plans to send the national cricket team to Pakistan for a bilateral series. However, the SLC maintained that they are keen to help the PCB in reviving cricket in the country. The Sri Lankan sports minister Jayasekara Dayasiri further added that they have got a request from Pakistan High Commissioner to send the army team.

In a conversation with The Express Tribune, Dayasiri quoted, “We have received a request from the Pakistan High Commissioner to send the Sri Lankan army team.” The minister added that they are keen on sending the youth and army team to Pakistan, but the plans are not formal yet. “We are considering sending the army as well as the youth teams to Pakistan though nothing has been finalised as yet. We have no plans to send our national cricket team,” he added further.

The Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Secretary Mohan de Silva was optimistic and believes that some day Pakistan will again become a top Test venue. In order to make this possible, the SLC will surely provide a helping hand to the PCB. “There are no plans [to send the national side to Pakistan] but SLC is keen to help the PCB in their mission to bring back international cricket to Pakistan. The SLC hopes that Pakistan will again become a venue for top Test playing nations to visit without any issues,” he quoted.

He also revealed that they have been receiving requests from the PCB officials to send the national team. The President of Sri Lanka is also keen on going forward with the prospect. Sending the youth and army teams is the way to start. “We have been receiving requests from top PCB officials to send the national team to Pakistan and our President [Thilanga Sumathipala] is keen to make that happen,” he said. “We are looking for ways to make sure we help the PCB in any way possible. The army and youth teams touring Pakistan can be a positive start,” he added further.

Earlier, PCB Chief Executive Najam Sethi had claimed that a top Test playing nation will be touring Pakistan in mid-2017. He, however, did not disclose the name of the nation. Later, a PCB source had remarked that the West Indies and the Sri Lankan team are in talks for touring Pakistan.

“Yes, top PCB officials are engaged in talks with their counterparts in West Indies and Sri Lankan cricket boards and hopefully one of the teams from these countries will tour Pakistan after the conclusion of Pakistan Super League (PSL),” a PCB source had quoted in APP.