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“I don't know what the other guys think but personally I had a bad experience last time in Pakistan and I don't want to face that experience again.” -Photo by AFP
CARDIFF: Sri Lanka captain Tillakaratne Dilshan welcomed his cricket board’s decision to reject an offer to tour Pakistan this year due to security fears and said he would not have gone whatever the decision.
Pakistan has not hosted international cricket since the Sri Lankan team visited the country in 2009 when gunmen attacked their team bus in Lahore, killing seven people.
“I don’t want to face the same scenario again,” Dilshan told reporters at Cardiff a day before the first test with England.
“I don’t know what the other guys think but personally I had a bad experience last time in Pakistan and I don’t want to face that experience again.”
It is likely that a series — featuring three tests, five one-day internationals and two Twenty20 matches — will be played at a neutral venue or in Sri Lanka.
The result in the first test against England, serves him right.At the present state of affairs in Pakistan,even i would not advocate for any immediate tour by foriengn team but still the ill timed,bad worded comments from him has not won him any fans in Pakistan.He must remember that during the same time it was a Pakistani(Khalil, the driver)who was responsible for saving him and his fellow crickters.Anyways, the cricket in Pakistan would surely revive Insallah, but i doubt to say that if i would feel happy to ever see Dilshan here.If he is hesitant to visit,we are also not thrilled to see him either.
While I fully understand the status of the Sri Lankan skipper on this issue, attention must be drawn to the fact that 'green shirts' have supported the Sri Lankan cricketers and cricket at large since day one even during the days when bombs were blasting on daily basis in Sri Lankan cities like Colombo, Jaffna and Kandy. Therefore, he must fully understand and appreciate the fact that 'a friend in need is a friend indeed.'
Right now, both global as well as domestic cricket lovers want international cricket activities to resume on the Pakistani soil, sooner than later. Therefore, if Sri Lankan cricketers and board can reciprocate the same zeal and zest that the Pakistani cricket fraternity has shown and proved to them since the 1950's, well and good. Of course, their safety and protection is of prime importance. Nevertheless, a terrorist attack can happen any where any time including England, where the Sri Lankan team is currently playing. Who can forget the IRA attacks on the British soil?
It's just a matter of time. Sooner or later, overseas teams will start touring the 'land of the pure' to play cricket and other sports because it is impossible to isolate a nation of 120 plus million brave people for too long for something on which they have no control or command over.
Very smart decision! The killers of last attack are roaming freely on the streets of Pakistan.
dilshan should not have said this because it could be daminging for crikcet. people in pakistan are dying to see cricket. srilanka please change your mind and send your team. when srilanka was fighting with milants pakistan cricket team help them and tour srilanka even if the situation was not good. i request all the other teams to send their teams to pakistan and i am sure pakistan government will provide full security. thanks to afgan team for coming and look we have not have any problems yet.
who will dare to go again at the cost life?
GOOD DECICIAN
GOOD DECICION