Sri Lanka Cricket today confirmed its commitment to play the third and final T20 game of the ongoing Sri Lanka tour of Pakistan at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, Pakistan on October 29.
“SLC have over the past two months conducted a thorough evaluation with the assistance of the Government of Sri Lanka, the Government of Pakistan, the PCB and independent Security experts,” a statement said.
The Executive Committee today (16), evaluated the reports obtained together with the recommendation of the International Cricket Council – which successfully conducted the Independence Cup tournament in Lahore fielding a World XI Team – and having been fully satisfied with the stringent security measures in place, the SLC executive committee unanimously decided to play the 3rd T20 in Lahore, it said.
Accordingly, the Selections Committee of SLC will finalize a squad of 22 by October 17, and announce the final 15 on October 20.
Sri Lanka cricket board chief Thilanga Sumathipala is also expected to travel to Lahore for the match.
“SLC President, Thilanga Sumathipala who will accompany the team to Lahore, extended his best wishes to PCB Chairman Najam Sethi and his board on the occasion of this historic game, which is set to bring back bilateral cricket to Pakistan.”
Meanwhile international media reported on Monday that Sri Lanka’s ODI captain Upul Tharanga has pulled out of the scheduled T20 International scheduled to be held in Lahore later this month.
According to a report by sports website Cricbuzz, the Sri Lankan skipper’s refusal to take part in the Lahore T20 also makes him ineligible to captain the first two games of the series as well.
However, 40 contracted Sri Lanka players on Sunday handed a letter to their national governing body requesting the October 29 match be moved to a neutral venue.
The Sri Lankan team had come under attack from terrorists in March, 2009 in Lahore, in which six Pakistani policemen were killed. That attack led to international teams refusing to tour Pakistan citing security concerns.
-Agencies
