The Sri Lanka Cricket took to its official Twitter handle to share the picture of the team’s departure. They were seen seeking blessings from a Buddhist monk before boarding the flight to Pakistan.
“Sri Lanka National team left SLC headquarters this morning to embark on their tour to Pakistan. Sri Lanka will play a three-match ODI series in Karachi and three T20Is in Lahore,” the caption read.
Here’s the post:
10 senior players have already opted out of the tour citing security concerns. However, T20I skipper Dasun Shanaka stated on Tuesday that he had no misgivings about returning to Pakistan after they played a Twenty20 international in Lahore in October 2017, their first since the 2009 attack.
“I have been there before. I am satisfied with the security arranged for us and I am happy to lead my team to Pakistan. We hope to give a good fight to our very strong hosts.” Shanaka said before leaving Colombo.
ODI skipper Lahiru Thirimanne also said he had no concerns and they had been given assurances of a very high degree of protection in Pakistan, usually reserved for visits by heads of state
The Sri Lanka team were attacked in Lahore in 2009. Since then most international teams have refused to tour the South Asian country, leaving Pakistan to play nearly all their ‘home’ games in the United Arab Emirates.
Series schedule:
ODIs (all in Karachi): September 27, 29, October 2.
T20Is (all Lahore): October 5, 7, 9