Sri Lankan cricket captain declares Pakistan ‘200%’ safe
- 23 Dec 2019
Sri Lanka might have lost the series but signed off satisfied with safety and security measures in Pakistan after the country's first home test series in 10 years.
Captain Dimuth Karunaratne called the security for the two-test series "200 percent” and promised to return.
The series held major significance for a host nation deprived of all forms of international cricket for almost a decade. Pakistan had been forced to play its home series outside the country, mostly in the United Arab Emirates, since 2009, when the bus carrying the Sri Lankan team was attacked by terrorists in Lahore. Six policemen and a driver escorting match officials were killed. No Sri Lankan players or officials died.
Pakistan had hosted brief Twenty-20 and one-day international engagements in the past two years, but this first test series required a longer stay for the visiting Sri Lankan team, of around 15 days.
"It was 200 percent,” said Karunaratne. "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.”
Cricket-wise, Karunaratne rued the fact his side lost control in the second innings of this second test, after dominating for most of the first two days, to lose the match by 263 runs, and the series 1-0.
