Sri Lanka cricket team gets ‘green light’ from defence ministry for Pakistan tour – Sport

The Sri Lankan cricket board said Thursday that it will continue its tour of Pakistan despite fears that players may be targeted by terrorist attacks during the six-game visit.

Sri Lankan Cricket Secretary Mohan de Silva said they received permission from the Ministry of Defense to leave for Pakistan on Tuesday.

"We have the green light of the defense ministry," said de Silva AFP. "The tour continues as planned. Myself and the bearers of our office will also accompany the team."

Last week, reports of a possible terrorist attack were sent to the Ministry of Defense for investigation.

The Sri Lankan team was the target of an attack during a test match in Lahore, Pakistan, in March 2009, with six players injured when gunmen attacked their bus.

Six policemen from Pakistan and two civilians were killed.

Since the attack, most international teams have refused to tour the country of South Asia.

Sri Lanka's first game in Lahore after that was a T20 game against Pakistan in October 2017.

De Silva visited Pakistan last month along with a security consultant to verify the arrangements made by the hosts.

"They promised security reserved for a head of state," de Silva said.

The six-game tour, which will begin on September 27, was suspended last week after the Sri Lankan prime minister's office warned the board that it had unspecified information about a possible attack against its players.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said it was not aware of any information related to the security of the Sri Lankan team, but reiterated its commitment to provide security.

Ten high-ranking players chose to leave the tour for security reasons.

Sri Lanka has already announced two squadrons for the three international one-day and the three T20 matches.

Match calendar:

• 1st ODI: Karachi, September 27

• 2nd ODI: Karachi, September 29

• 3rd ODI: Karachi, October 2

• 1st T20: Lahore, October 5

• 2nd T20: Lahore, October 7

• 3rd T20: Lahore, October 9