Amid security concerns, two Sri Lankan players to return home from Pakistan; Heres why
Two senior Sri Lanka players, including captain Charith Asalanka, will return home from Pakistan amid security concerns. Sri Lanka are currently in Pakistan for a T20I tri-series after the conclusion of the ODI series.
Two Sri Lankan cricketers, including skipper Charith Asalanka, will return home from Pakistan, pulling out of the upcoming T20I tri-series involving the two countries and Zimbabwe. Asalanka and pacer Asitha Fernando have decided to return home due to illness. This comes after several Sri Lankan players expressed security concerns in Pakistan following a bomb blast in Islamabad earlier this month.
However, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has maintained that illness is the reason behind Asalanka and Fernando returning home, denying reports of any security issues for their players in Pakistan. Sri Lanka played a three-match ODI series against Pakistan, which concluded on November 16 and will now take part in the upcoming T20I tri-series.
SLC confirmed Asalanka will be replaced by senior batter Dasun Shanaka, who will lead Sri Lanka in the T20I tri-series. Meanwhile, Pavan Rathnayake has been confirmed as a replacement for pacer Fernando. The Sri Lankan cricket board refused to provide details on the nature of the illness of the two players.
"Two Players Returning Home: Captain Charith Asalanka and fast bowler Asitha Fernando, both suffering from illness, will return home. The two players will not take part in the upcoming tri-series featuring Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Zimbabwe," SLC said in a statement.
"This precautionary decision ensures they receive proper care and sufficient time to recover ahead of future assignments.
"Dasun Shanaka to Captain With Asalanka unavailable. Pavan Rathnayake has been added to the T20I squad as a replacement," it added.
Several Sri Lankan players wanted to leave Pakistan after Islamabad blast
Multiple players in Sri Lanka's ODI squad wanted to leave the country and return home after a bomb blast rocked Islamabad, killing at least 12 people earlier this month. The players expressed security concerns and wanted to return home ahead of the 2nd ODI between Pakistan and Sri Lanka. However, they were convinced to stay by the SLC and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi spoke to the Sri Lankan players and assured them of strict security arrangements. Meanwhile, the Pakistani government handed over the Sri Lankan team's security to the Pakistani army in order to convince them to stay in the country and complete the ODI series.
The second ODI was postponed from November 13 to November 14, but the visitors stayed on to complete the three-match series. The third and final T20I was also rescheduled from November to 16. All three matches were played at the Rawalpindi Stadium in Rawalpindi, which is also set to host the T20I tri-series, which gets underway on Tuesday, November 18.