A few senior players of the Sri Lanka cricket team have expressed their unwillingness to travel to Pakistan where a limited overs series has been arranged between the two countries to be played this month.
Minister of Sports Harin Fernando said that one of the players was fast bowler Suranga Lakmal after family members raised concerns over their safety.
Ever since the Sri Lankan team bus was attacked by gunmen in Lahore in 2009, no country had sent its national cricket to play in Pakistan.
But Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) after inspecting high profile security arrangements in Pakistan and assured of protection for visiting teams decided to consent to playing three ODIs and three T20s. Minister Fernando said that if there was an issue over security he would travel to Pakistan along with the players for greater assurance.
“I can accompany the players just to boost their confidence levels,” he said.
Sri Lanka has also agreed to play the two Tests against Pakistan in the UAE after the white ball matches.
Meanwhile the wicket-keeper batsman Niroshan Dickwell who was last month named as the vice captain of the T20 team is reported to have asked for permission to play in domestic series in the West Indies during the same time Sri Lanka is to tour Pakistan.