Sri Lanka to reconsider Pakistan tour
Cricinfo staff
December 24, 2008
Sri Lanka's tour of Pakistan, the replacement for India's cancelled visit early next year, is in doubt after Sri Lanka's sports minister Gamini Lokuge said he would hold discussions with the country's president Mahinda Rajapaksa and wait for word from the foreign ministry regarding the issue.
"We are reconsidering the decisions taken by Arjuna Ranatunga," Lokuge told PTI. Ranatunga, who was the head of Sri Lanka Cricket, was removed from office yesterday by Lokuge, who also dissolved the interim administration of SLC. Ranatunga had earlier said that Sri Lanka would not hesitate to send a team to Pakistan and expressed confidence in their ability to provide adequate security.
Saleem Altaf, the PCB's chief operating officer, had said that Ranatunga had replied affirmatively to their invitation and that the board was working out the final details of the series. Altaf had said that Sri Lanka would play three Tests, three one-dayers and a Twenty20 game against Pakistan.
Sri Lanka were lined up to tour Pakistan after the BCCI called off India's tour following a directive from the Indian government that it was not feasible "in the prevailing circumstances". The series was in doubt following deterioration of relations between the two countries, a fallout of the Mumbai attacks which India alleges had links to elements in Pakistan.
Cricinfo - Sri Lanka to reconsider Pakistan tour
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Things are getting clearer now. India is trying to put pressure on Pakistan from all quarters.