Sri Lanka to lock horns against Pakistan in the UAE before travelling to Lahore

The Sri Lankan team is scheduled to play a T20 match in the country of Pakistan as a part of their series against the men in green. However, before travelling to Lahore for the final T20 match, the Lions will lock horns with Pakistan in two Test matches, 5 One Day Internationals and 2 T20 internationals in the UAE.

The team has agreed to travel to Pakistan for the last T20 game after the Pakistan Cricket Board guaranteed them presidential level security measures. A delegate from the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) had also visited Pakistan to enquire about the level of security and gave the tour a green signal. According to an SLC official, the rest of the series will be played at Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah with the series scheduled to kick off on September 28th.

The first match of the series will see the two Asian giants battle it out in a day-night Test match. Sri Lanka Cricket Board President Thilanga Sumathipala mentioned earlier that he is ‘keen’ on taking his team to Pakistan for the first time since the horrific attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in 2009. The country of Pakistan has been facing a ban from international cricket in the country ever since. In 2015, Zimbabwe became the first team to visit Pakistan since 2009 making it the only international series in the country.

What Sumathipala said:

“I am keen to take my team to Pakistan.” said Sumathipala speaking at the Asian Cricket Council’s (ACC) AGM on Saturday. “We have had our security experts visit and make an assessment, and things look positive with things improving all over the country and especially Lahore being cleared. We have three T20 games coming up against Pakistan in September and we would like to play at least one of those games in Lahore,” he was quoted by ESPN Cricinfo.

“I call upon each one of you as members to play your role and give Pakistan the security of your support. There is always risk – there were two attacks in London during the Champions trophy, but cricket continued under the security assurances of the ICC, so likewise we too must be as accommodating and understanding as possible with our members and extend our fullest support to them as the cricketing family of Asia,” added the President.

Despite Sumathipala’s eagerness, it is yet to be seen how the Sri Lankan players react to visiting Pakistan for an international match once again.