‘Historic occasion’ as Sri Lanka arrive in Pakistan for Test series
Sri Lanka have arrived in Pakistan for the hosts’ first Test in their own country since the 2009 terrorist attack.
Eight people were killed and several players were wounded when the Sri Lanka team bus was gunned down in Lahore in March 2009.
The majority of Pakistan’s home Test matches have since taken place in the United Arab Emirates in the intervening years.
Pakistan Cricket Board chief executive Wasim Khan said Sri Lanka’s arrival marked an “historic occasion”.
📸 Sri Lanka Test Squad led by Dimuth Karunaratne arrives in Islamabad to take part in a two match Test series. #PAKvSL pic.twitter.com/2uD0hio6Lt
— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) December 9, 2019
Sri Lanka played three ODIs and three T20 matches there in September and October, but their upcoming tour of Pakistan marks the return of Test cricket to the country, with the first Test starting in Rawalpindi on Wednesday and the second taking place in Karachi from 19 December.
“This is my first tour to Pakistan,” said Sri Lanka captain Dimuth Karunaratne.
“After the 2009 incidents, players were scared to tour Pakistan but in the last two years or so Sri Lanka and other teams have toured Pakistan.
“We want to play good cricket in Pakistan and hope they give us some good security.”
Khan added: “Pakistan’s losses due to non-hosting of international cricket have been substantial.
“Pakistan cricket supporters have been denied the opportunity to see their heroes play live in our national stadiums.”
Latest
-
NewsJofra Archer takes two wickets on return in Sussex clash with Kent
Archer has been out with finger and elbow issues.
-
NewsJofra Archer to step up injury return in Sussex’s Championship game with Kent
Archer’s last first-class appearance for the county came in the 2018 season.
-
NewsStuart Broad: England not finished article but on verge of ‘something special’
Joe Root’s side finished fourth in the WTC’s inaugural league table.
-
NewsTom Harrison warns ‘we’re not out of the woods yet’ as ECB reports £16.1m losses
Prior to the onset of the global health crisis the ECB had expected the past year to be characterised by rising revenues.
-
NewsECB reports £16.1m loss with cash reserves down to £2.2m due to impact of Covid
Cricket as a whole in England and Wales has accrued revenue losses of more than £100m.
-
NewsMCC stresses requirement for law change to permit use of bamboo cricket bats
A Cambridge University study suggested a prototype bamboo bat was stronger, more sustainable and cheaper to produce than the willow blade.
-
NewsTymal Mills says initiatives are more important to cricket than taking a knee
The Sussex left-arm paceman feels inclusive schemes will prove more significant than gestures in broadening cricket’s appeal in years to come.
-
NewsAshley Giles will not allow England commitments to play second fiddle to IPL
Ben Stokes, Jofra Archer and Jos Buttler could find themselves involved in a calendar clash.
-
NewsAshley Giles hints at possible new faces for England in New Zealand series
Giles suggested players who recently returned from the postponed Indian Premier League into quarantine may be eased back into action gently.
-
NewsCraig Overton and Lyndon James star in big wins for Somerset and Nottinghamshire
The paceman picked up five second innings wickets to set up victory.