SLC issues formal review threat on players wanting to leave Pakistan with logistics being thrown off by uncertainty.
SLC threatens players with ‘formal review’ if they leave Pakistan; remaining matches postponed by a day.
Due to security concerns, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has threatened men’s national team players and support personnel with “a formal review” if they withdraw from the current Pakistan tour. After the suicide explosion in Islamabad, where they are living, on Tuesday, a number of team members requested to go back to Sri Lanka. Particularly, the families of Sri Lankan athletes had voiced fears about their safety.
“The support staff were very clear that we wanted to stay and complete the tour,” said Sanath Jayasuriya, Sri Lanka’s head coach. “But as the team management on tour, we heard the players concerns, and made sure we addressed them at length.”
Players, team management, SLC officials, and Pakistan security officials all participated in late-night discussions on Wednesday over the tour’s future. It is said that Mohsin Naqvi, the interior minister of Pakistan and chair of the PCB, personally visited the team hotel to reassure Sri Lankan players. Other representatives from Pakistan’s security system also made sure the team’s security precautions were strict.
The two remaining ODIs in the series have now been postponed by one day due to the late conclusion of these negotiations and other logistical issues caused by uncertainty. The matches were originally slated for November 13 and 15, but Naqvi confirmed that they will now take place on November 14 and 16.
According to SLC, the board gave players assurances about their safety and told the team to keep playing games on time. The board also outlined the penalties for any touring party member who disobeys their directives.
“If any player, players, or member of the support staff return despite SLC’s directives, a formal review will be conducted to assess their actions, and an appropriate decision will be made upon the conclusion of the review,” the board statement said.