Let us all throw our weight behind the new look cricket team to tour Pakistan. They are the true heroes, the true patriots. Let those who think they are bigger than the game stay at home and watch these players on TV.
I also appeal to the national selectors led by Ashantha de Mel that irrespective of the results to continue with Dasun Shanaka as the T20 captain and Lahiru Thirimanne as the ODI captain as well as take note of the new players and continue to give them an extended period. It is not fair to take them into the team to replace those cocky seniors and then throw them out after the tour.
We now know who the real patriots are and who are not. Thank God our heroic soldiers who liberated us from the crutches of terrorism were not like those players who backed out when told to keep the Lion flag flying and do it for the country.
At least from now on these cricketers who backed out should stop saying they are “playing for the country”. That will be utter nonsense.
Roger Fernando
Moratuwa