Terrorism threat throws Sri Lankan authorities in doubt to cancel the cricket tour in Pakistan

Hosting Sri Lanka was meant to signify a new dawn for Pakistan cricket, but security concerns have cast doubt over the forthcoming tour later this month.

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) released a statement Wednesday saying it had received “reliable information of a possible terrorist threat” against the national squad and had “sought the assistance of the Sri Lankan Government to conduct a “reassessment of the security situation.”

The decision, the statement read, was taken following a warning received from the Prime Minister’s Office. “Hence, SLC has been advised to take extreme care.”

Responding on its official Twitter account, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said that it had “seen the SLC statement” but was not “privy to any information or intelligence relating to the [the] safety of the Sri Lankan team.”

The PCB said it “reiterates its commitment to provide complete safety and security to the Sri Lankan side and in this relation will continue to work with the SLC.”

A spokesman for the International Cricket Council – the game’s governing body – said that the tour was a “matter between the two boards,” but that it was happy to provide assistance if requested.

Source: CNN