Sri Lanka President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has assured that every possible measure is being taken to safeguard the national cricket team in Pakistan, following security concerns triggered by a recent suicide bomb blast in Islamabad, State Media reported.
The President held discussions with SLC Chairman and head coach Sanath Jayasuriya and instructed the team to continue the tour while working closely with Pakistani authorities to ensure maximum protection. Defence Secretary Sampath Thuiyakontha also spoke directly with Pakistan’s top security officials, resulting in strengthened security deployments around the team, including special protection at their hotel.
Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Mohsin Naqvi — who is also the country’s interim interior minister — met the Sri Lankan players last night to address their concerns and reaffirm Pakistan’s security commitments.
Amid the developments, the second and third ODIs have been rescheduled by one day and will now be played on Friday and Sunday. The T20I tri-series will go ahead entirely in Rawalpindi, starting on the 18th. (Newswire)