Shoaib Akhtar Criticized Sri Lankan Players for Not Touring Pakistan
Former
Pakistani leader Shoaib Akhtar has criticized Sri Lankan players for deciding
not to travel to Pakistan. Pakistan's hopes of hosting a series of T20I against Pakistan Vs. Sri Lanka has come face to a massive shock after ten Sri Lankans decided not to visit the
country for security reasons.
As
A result, Sri Lanka lost considerable firepower on the next tour. The islanders
were forced to name a second side of the chain. With regular captains also
absent from the series, Sri Lanka has appointed two new captains. While Lahiru
Thirimanne will lead the ODI team, Dasun Shanaka has been named skipper for the
T20I squad.
Among
those who have retired are Niroshan Dickwella, Kusal Janith Perera, Dhananjaya
De Silva, Thisara Perera, Akila Dhananjaya, Lasith Malinga, Angelo Mathews,
Suranga Lakmal, Dinesh Chandimal, and Dimuth Karunaratne.
Shoaib
Akhtar has now taken revenge on the Sri Lankan players for their decision. The
legendary coach reminded the players of how Pakistan has always put itself in
the service of cricket in Sri Lanka.
"I
am so disappointed with the 10 Sri Lankan players who have withdrawn from Pakistan
Tour. Pakistan has always been a huge support for SL cricket. Recently, after
deadly Easter attacks in SL, our under-19 team was sent on tour there as the
first international team to volunteer" wrote Shoaib Akhtar.
"And
of course, who can forget about the 1996 World Cup when Australia and the West
Indies refused to go to Sri Lanka. Pakistan sent a combined team with India to
play a friendly match in Colombo. We expect reciprocity from Sri Lanka. Their
advice cooperates, the players should also".
However,
Pakistan has been waiting to host a series of tests on its soil since 2009. It
was in 2009 that the Sri Lankan team bus was attacked by militants in Lahore
during its tour. Since then, most international teams have decided not to
travel to Pakistan. Things have changed lately, people from the West Indies and
Sri Lanka has visited the country.
