The request to field separate Sri Lankan teams for the Twenty20 Internationals in the UAE and the one in Lahore has been turned down by Sri Lanka’s Sports Ministry, the Minister of Sports, Dayasiri Jayasekara, confirmed to Cricbuzz on Wednesday (October 18).
Jayasekara told Cricbuzz that the request was put forward by fast bowler Lasith Malinga, who is not a part of the ODI squad that is currently in the UAE.
“Lasith told me that we should have two teams for the UAE leg and the one-off game in Lahore, but that is not possible. It is not fair to allow players to pick and choose games,” Jayasekara told Cricbuzz.
Earlier, after 40 contracted players handed the SLC President Thilanga Sumathipala a letter hinting their reluctance to travel to Lahore for the last game of the ongoing bilateral series, Sumathipala had told Cricbuzz that only one squad would be announced for all three games. That effectively meant that players who were pulling out from the Lahore game would be deemed ineligible for the entire series.
Since the Sports Minister, who is the ultimate authority in approving teams selected to represent Sri Lanka in all sports, has backed that decision, the players are left with little choice if they intend to skip the Lahore leg. The first two T20Is will be played in Abu Dhabi followed by the last game in Lahore.
“SLC has informed me that they have done a thorough security check and have received all necessary clearance from the ICC. The PCB has promised security that is given to Heads of States. If everything is fine, we have to go to Pakistan. I too intend to be in Lahore for the game,” Jayasekara added.
Malinga is not the only player to have reservations about travelling to Lahore. Upul Tharanga, who is Sri Lanka’s ODI captain, too has informed of his unwillingness along with several other players.
From the ODI squad that is currently in the UAE, most players excepting Thisara Perera had expressed their unwillingness to travel to Lahore. However, after being briefed about the security arrangements, seven players have agreed to tour.
Dilshan Munaweera, Ashan Priyanjan and Isuru Udana, who are back in Colombo and regulars in T20Is for Sri Lanka, are willing to travel along with three players in the Caribbean, with the Sri Lanka ‘A’ team players like Shehan Jayasuriya, Dasun Shanaka and Wanindu Hasaranga.
Several SLC officials are currently in the UAE and they are expected to hold discussions with the players in Sharjah over the next few days before announcing the squad on October 20.
Meanwhile, in another development, although Sri Lanka’s support staff had expressed their satisfaction for the tour, Cricbuzz understands that the head coach Nic Pothas has also raised a few concerns.
There has been little international cricket in Pakistan since the Sri Lankan team bus came under a terrorist attack in March 2009 in Lahore. However, after successfully hosting the PSL 2 Final in Lahore before staging the three-match T20I series against World XI, Pakistan have presented a strong case to bring international cricket back home.
