Pakistan Sri Lanka
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Sri Lanka to tour Pakistan for limited-overs series

Khizar Saqib·
International
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Sri Lanka are less than two weeks away from touring Pakistan, but what does it mean for international cricket within the country?

In March 2009, the Sri Lankan cricket team were attacked by gunmen on their way to Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore – resulting in injuries to seven of their players. The horrific event triggered a drought of international cricket within the country, tarnishing the dreams of players and fans across the nation. Ten years later, there’s been significant improvement. Numerous short series have been hosted amidst tight security, with Zimbabwe touring for three ODIs in 2015, the World XI visiting in 2017, and West Indies playing three T20Is in 2018. Sri Lanka played a solitary T20I in 2017 – and are ready to tour Pakistan once again for three ODIs in Karachi and three T20Is in Lahore.

The announcement sent cricket-crazy Pakistan into raptures. It seems cricket is coming home as National Stadium and Gaddafi Stadium prepare for the momentous occasion. The prospect has caused quite a stir amongst the public, who’ve been deprived of international stars on home soil. However, this would-be fairytale was blighted by rumours of major Sri Lankan players opting out of the series – and recent confirmations have minced all optimism. Despite the Sri Lankan delegation’s visit to Pakistan last month, in which they described security measures as “meticulous”, the likes of Lasith Malinga, Angelo Mathews and Dimuth Karunaratne have refused to participate. Seven other members of the squad have asked to be excused as well.

While the tour is considered a step forward, recent developments may taint a promising few years for the return of international cricket to Pakistan. The nation’s ultimate goal was to leverage successful arrangements and invite Sri Lanka for a Test series later in the year. Unfortunately, given the lack of interest shown by top Sri Lankan players, the hopes of hosting a Test match in Pakistan after ten years are fading. Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) may be content with sending a depleted side for the limited-overs leg, but when Test Championship points are at stake, they won’t be as willing to compromise.

The players’ reluctance to tour Pakistan sends out an alarming message to teams around the world. With Pakistan hoping to host England or South Africa in the coming years, a cloud of uncertainty looms over those ambitions as well. It illustrates that a number of players aren’t ready to play in the country just yet, and complete tours with full-strength teams may still be a decade away.

It’s also a sorry sight to see players like Thisara Perera and Niroshan Dickwella highlighting their Caribbean Premier League (CPL) commitments; ultimately favouring lucrative T20 contracts over international tours. SLC didn’t grant either player the No Objection Certificate (NOC) needed to play in the CPL, but their squad remains depleted nonetheless. Cricketing faithful aren’t hoping to see a second-string side fly in, especially after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has spent millions to enhance security. The measures, which include bulletproof buses from Germany, would be deemed appropriate for a head-of states. Numerous fans argue that such a lucrative amount shouldn’t be spent if the Sri Lankan squad is depleted.

On the flip side, a large number of Pakistanis are praying for the tour’s success as it could send a positive message to the world and reiterate that the country is safe to play in. Test cricket may still be a distant dream, but the PCB is doing its utmost to further the cause. In fact, the entirety of next year’s PSL season is supposed be held in Pakistan – and achieving such a feat could convince teams like Australia and England to play limited-overs cricket in the country as well.