Cited the 2009 terrorist attack

Sri Lanka Cricket, in its letter, recalled that dark day of 2009 when there was a terrorist attack on their team bus in Lahore. It was written in the letter that ‘Sri Lankan players and officials were injured in that attack, whose wounds are still fresh. Despite this, when other teams of the world were hesitant in going to Pakistan, Sri Lanka came forward and ensured the return of cricket there. Sri Lanka reminded Pakistan that Sri Lanka was the first team to play a Test match in Pakistan in 2019 after a drought of 10 years.

Surgical strike on tourism and economy

The Sri Lankan government and board have warned that the mere news of the cancellation of the India-Pakistan match has led to a flood of booking cancellations in hotels in Colombo. According to the letter, the sale of tickets for this match has been completed and there is a lot of enthusiasm among the spectators. In case the match does not take place, Sri Lanka Cricket will have to face huge financial losses. Sri Lanka has clarified that all preparations for security and operations have been completed and Pakistan’s withdrawal will nullify all these efforts. SLC has demanded spirit of reciprocity from Pakistan in the letter. He said that when Pakistan was in need, Sri Lanka visited there despite security and sensitive circumstances. Now that Sri Lanka is the host and has assured complete security and neutrality, Pakistan should also participate in this match in the spirit of sportsmanship.

PCB stuck between religious and economic crisis

Sri Lanka has requested PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and the Government of Pakistan to change this decision keeping in mind the millions of cricket fans and the wider interests of the game. According to Sri Lankan media reports, Colombo’s tourism sector is already paying the price of this uncertainty. Now the ball is in Pakistan’s court whether it accepts the appeal of its oldest friend or sticks to its decision of boycott.