After some top Sri Lankan players decided to opt-out from Pakistan tour as their families were reportedly uncomfortable with the tour, former skipper Javed Miandad has advised the team to not focus on the touring party and urged them to put on their best show.
Sri Lanka are scheduled to play three ODIS and as many T20Is in Karachi and Lahore between September 27 and October 9. The tour appeared well on track before the Lankan PMO received reliable information of a possible terrorist threat on their team while touring Pakistan.
"It does not matter which Sri Lankan players visit and Pakistan must only look to put up their best performances regardless of the visitors' squad quality," Miandad was quoted as saying by Pakistan daily 'Dawn'.
Meanwhile, the former Pakistan skipper felt that Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) should take action against the players who have given importance to foreign T20 leagues over international duty. "International matches should be the top priority for the players and SLC should penalise the ones who have opted out of the Pakistan series," the 62-year-old opined.
Top Lanka players namely T20 skipper Lasith Malinga, former captains Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal, Suranga Lakmal, Dimuth Karunaratne, Thisara Perera, Akila Dhananjaya, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kusal Perera and Niroshan Dickwella have decided not to visit Pakistan.