The team is under heavy security to prevent terrorist threats
The Sri Lanka National Cricket Team continues their tour of Pakistan as planned. There had been threats in their security such as reports that the team could be attacked by militant groups. The team is under heavy security to ensure their safety, as promised by the Pakistani government.
In 2009, a tragedy occurred where the Sri Lanka team was attacked in Lahore. Six players of the team were injured by gunmen who attacked their bus. Two civilians and six Pakistan policemen were killed. Since then, teams refused to tour Pakistan whereas home matches are usually held in the United Arab Emirates.
‘We can’t forget, 10 years ago it was a terrible attack on the Sri Lanka team and they are the same country which has come back to play here’, Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ehsan Mani said. ‘We are thankful to the players and their board for standing strong with Pakistan’.
‘We have been playing in front of virtually empty stadiums (in UAE) which wasn’t a cause of motivation’, Mani said. ‘In Pakistan, we will have people coming in stadiums not only to support their own team but also applauding Sri Lanka for taking a big step to help us as a country’.
A lot of players in the Sri Lanka team opted out of this tour. Pakistan will host three One Day Internationals (ODIs) and three Twenty20 International (T20I) matches. The tour has Test matches which are moved to December this year.
The ODI series will begin with its first match in Karachi on September 27. Odds of the upcoming match will be available soon. Check out the latest cricket odds on Betwala.
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