Proposed Sri Lanka tour to Pakistan Called off

It is with regret that the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka informs the cricket loving public that the proposed tour to Pakistan will not be going ahead due to concerns over the safety of our players.

The Pakistan Cricket Board extended an invitation to the BCCSL for the Sri Lankan team to play three One Day Internationals, following the cancellation of the New Zealand tour of Pakistan.

Despite the uncertain global security situation which could especially effect conditions in Pakistan, the Interim Committee of the BCCSL agreed to tour in principle, keeping in mind the long history of friendship between Sri Lanka and Pakistan, both in the game of Cricket and between the two Nations. This was provided that adequate measures would be available for the security of players, as well as the Pakistani players, officials and spectators.

"Our first concern was the safety of our players. We requested the Pakistan Cricket Board to make arrangements to evacuate our players by air, should the need have arisen. However, despite the efforts of the PCB, it was not possible to arrange the logistics for this and after a series of discussions between the PCB and BCCSL, it was desided that the tour be called off," said Vijaya Malalasekera, Chairman of the Interim Committee of the BCCSL.

Both Sri Lanka and Pakistan, together with Zimbabwe, will next be participating in the Sharjah Champions' Trophy in the UAE, which begins on the 26th of October.