Special Correspondent (New Delhi): PMO message to Board seeking help ahead tour to Pakistan. On Wednesday, Sri Lanka Cricket received a warning from Prime Minister office informing “terrorist threat” targeting the Srilankan cricket team during its upcoming Pakistan tour.
According to the message, Sri Lanka Cricket has requested governments assistance to reassess the security condition in Pakistan, ahead of schedule of the cricket match on 27th September to October 9.”
Sri Lanka Cricket stated on Wednesday, “The decision was taken following a warning the SLC received from the Prime Minister’s Office, sent via the Ministry of Telecommunication, Foreign Employment and Sports,” The warning information is given by Prime Minister’s office had received, “reliable information of a possible terrorist threat on the Sri Lankan team, while touring Pakistan.”
Because of this warning, 10 top players refused to travel to Pakistan, claiming security concerns.
Influence of India
Pakistani Minister claimed that cricketers’ decision is influenced by India.
Pakistani Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Hussain Chaudhary tweeted on Tuesday, “Informed sports commentators told me that India threatened SL players that they’ll be ousted from IPL if they don’t refuse Pak. visit, this is a really cheap tactic, jingoism from sports to space is something we must condemn, really cheap on the part of Indian sports authorities.”
Crossing the claim, Sri Lanka’s Sports Minister Harin Fernando tweeted on Tuesday lately, “No truth to reports that India influenced Sri Lankan players not to play in Pakistan. Some decided not to play purely based on the 2009 incident.”
The minister said, “Respecting their decision we picked players who were willing to travel. We have a full-strength team & we hope to beat Pakistan in Pakistan,”
Though the squad was announced earlier on Wednesday, SLC stated it has been advised to take ‘extreme care’ and ‘reassess the situation’ and has asked the government’s help.