Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) sent a reconnaissance team to assess the security and logistical arrangements ahead of their series in Pakistan. The move comes as part of SLC’s standard protocol to review travel and security measures before confirming participation in upcoming white-ball series including ODIs and T20Is.
Afghanistan recently withdrew from the upcoming tri-series in Pakistan. Sri Lanka is trying to get full assurance regarding security measures. The white-ball series will be Sri Lanka’s second after the attack on their team bus in Lahore in 2009. Notably, the island nation returned to playing international cricket in Pakistan in 2019.
Sri Lanka has sent a reconnaissance team to Pakistan to assess security ahead of the white-ball series
A security delegation from Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has arrived in Pakistan to assess the security and logistical arrangements ahead of the upcoming series. The delegation will examine all protocols before the Board gives final approval for the team’s participation in white-ball fixtures.
Specifically, the delegation will visit key venues in Lahore, Rawalpindi and Faisalabad, where the matches are scheduled to take place. They will inspect stadium facilities, team hotels and transportation routes to verify that all necessary safety measures are being implemented.
Apart from the inspection, officials will hold meetings with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), local organizers and representatives of law enforcement agencies. Although it is common for cricket boards of SENA countries to send advance security teams ahead of tours to Pakistan, such visits to Sri Lanka are rare.
Sri Lanka is set to begin Pakistan tour with a three-match ODI series in Rawalpindi
Sri Lanka is set to begin its Pakistan tour with a three-match ODI series in Rawalpindi from November 11 to 15. After the ODI series, the focus will shift to the T20 tri-series involving hosts Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe, scheduled to be held in Rawalpindi and Lahore from November 17 to 29.
Zimbabwe joined the tournament as a replacement for Afghanistan, who withdrew after border tensions and security concerns escalated in the region.
The tri-series will begin with the Pakistan-Zimbabwe match on November 17, while Sri Lanka will play its first match two days later. The competition will serve as an ideal preparation for next year’s ICC T20 World Cup to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
Charith Asalanka to lead Sri Lanka in both ODI and T20 series in Pakistan
All-rounder Charith Asalanka will lead the team in both ODI and T20 formats. According to a report in Sri Lanka Mirror, the 16-member squad has been finalized and submitted to the Sports Minister for approval.
Dasun Shanaka has been appointed the vice-captain of the T20I team for the first time. Notably, it was under Shanaka’s leadership in 2019 that Sri Lanka recorded a memorable 64-run win over Pakistan, their first T20 win against them in six years.
Ahead of the series, the team is undergoing intensive training at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium in Hambantota, where conditions are being prepared to replicate the conditions expected in Pakistan.
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