The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is disappointed with the recent statements made by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) President Shammi Silva regarding security arrangements for his team during its recent Pakistan tour. When entire cricket fraternity was praising Sri Lanka for playing in the neighbor country, Shammi Silva has stated that he was fed up of the security arrangements in Pakistan during the Islanders recently concluded limited-overs series tour against the Men in Green. The series ended when Sri Lanka completing a historic three-nil Twenty20 International (T20I) series whitewash against the number-one ranked Pakistan side.
Shammi, who was present in Pakistan during the matches with all top board officials, including controversial vice president Ravin Wickramaratne and CCC members, disgracefully stated that he was fed up with security arrangements during his stay.
“Pakistan are very happy and grateful to Sri Lanka for sending the team. But we have to assess and see whether it is viable to play Test matches there because they are of five days duration and the players have to be inside the hotel. I got fed up staying inside the hotel for about 2-3 days. We have to think about the players and support staff and how it will affect them” said Shammi Silva after team’s arrival.
Sri Lanka are due to return to Pakistan for a Test series in December. But Silva said that the board would need to talk to the players.
“Players have to go out to do shopping, they have to eat somewhere, they have biological needs and all those things are there. They have to go out and see the world. They can’t stay inside the hotel” Shammi Silva added.
However, the PCB believes that Shami Silva has made inappropriate comments about security arrangements in Pakistan.
The PCB is said to have contacted Sri Lanka cricket officials and informed them that Presidential Level security was provided to their team during its Pakistan tour. The PCB said the Sri Lankan cricket board rejected every proposal put forth by the PCB for arranging shopping tours, golf games and government hosted dinners for the hosts in Karachi and Lahore.
