COLOMBO: Sri Lanka Cricketers’ Association (SLCA) has written a letter to Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) requesting the board to carry out an independent assessment before the national team goes to Lahore later this month for the third and final Twenty20 International against Pakistan.

General secretary of SLCA Ken De Alwis told media that the board has agreed to discuss the matter at a meeting on Monday.

“The assessment done by the independent security firm for the World XI games had given an excellent report and we have requested SLC to do a similar assessment before the team travels to Lahore,” De Alwis revealed.

“We don’t have a problem in travelling to Pakistan but they need to conduct an assessment. The security assessment during the World XI games was done by Rex Dickson and we would appreciate if something similar is done this time as well.”

SLC has confirmed that the Sri Lankan team will tour Pakistan, but several players including captain Upul Tharanga and former captain Lasith Malinga, have ruled themselves out from the trip. SLC was to announce the squad earlier this week, but due to players’ reluctance, the board has been forced to delay the announcement.

Negotiations are going on with Tharanga and other senior players with several SLC officials arriving in the United Arab Emirates for the purpose.

Last week, 40 contracted players sent a letter to SLC Chief Thilanga Sumathipala pointing out their reluctance to travel to Lahore for the last game of the ongoing bilateral series against Pakistan.

However, since then some players have softened their stance and Sumathipala is confident of sending a full strength team to Lahore.

The PCB is trying to revive the sport in the country after being forced to play their home matches in UAE. Last month, a World XI side played three T20Is in Lahore and following the trip by Sri Lanka, they look to bring in the West Indies to Pakistan for a short series.—Cricbuzz

Published in Dawn, October 21st, 2017