Karachi
Sri Lankan Captain Dimuth Karunaratne called the security for the two-test series ‘200%’ on Monday and promised to return.
The series held major significance for a host nation deprived of international cricket for almost a decade. Pakistan had been forced to play its home series mostly in the United Arab Emirates since 2009, when the bus carrying the Sri Lanka team was attacked by terrorists in Lahore. Six policemen and a driver escorting match officials were killed. Pakistan hosted brief Twenty20 and one-day international engagements, but this first test series required a longer stay for Sri Lanka of around 15 days.
‘It was 200%,’ Karunaratne said. ‘The security was really good. They were like fathers for us. They kept talking to us and they were right behind us every time.
‘When we were going out to eat or something, they were there. We were feeling secure and safe here. They’ve done a really good job. Pakistan fans are really good – they kept supporting us. ‘What I can say is that it’s really safe here and that all the other countries playing cricket – they can come and play tests, T20s or one-dayers – it’s safe to play in Pakistan.’
Pakistan cricket team’s head coach, Misbah-ul-Haq, has emphasised that after successful Test series at home against Sri Lanka, there should be no excuses for other teams, including Bangladesh, to avoid touring Pakistan.
The former captain, who is also the chief selector of Pakistan team, said it would be disappointing if Bangladesh did not come to play the Test series and any such development would be an injustice to Pakistan cricket. ‘It will be huge disappointment if Bangladesh doesn’t come to Pakistan to play Test cricket,’ he said, adding that it is important for the country to play all home series at home grounds.
As Test cricket returned to Pakistan, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ehsan Mani has stated that at present ‘India is a far greater security risk than Pakistan’. ‘We have proved that Pakistan is safe, if someone isn’t coming then they should prove that it’s unsafe. At this time, India is a far greater security risk than Pakistan,’ Mani was quoted as saying by cricketpakistan.com.pk.
Pakistan on Monday defeated Sri Lanka by 263 runs in the Karachi Test, thus winning what was an emotional two-match Test series 1-0. The Test series marked the return of Test cricket to Pakistan after 10 years. Sri Lanka were the last team to play Tests there, in 2009, when their tour was cut short by a terrorist attack on the team bus. ‘No one should now doubt security arrangements in Pakistan after successful Sri Lanka Test series. This is a turning point for revival of Test cricket in Pakistan. Media and fans played an important role in portraying positive image of Pakistan worldwide,’ Mani added.—AFP
