Pakistan Under-19 tour to Sri Lanka in doubt after terrorist attack

KARACHI: Pakistan U19 team’s tour to Sri Lanka is surrounded by uncertainty following a series of attacks in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday, that killed around 400 people and injuring many.

Rohail led squad is originally scheduled to leave for Sri Lanka on 30th April, however it is now unlikely that team will depart according to the original schedule.

Sources within the U19 team believe that the tour has been tentatively pushed for a week and coaching staff has been told by PCB to prepare training programs for another 7 days.

However, PCB will make a final call after getting a word from Sri Lanka Cricket.

“SLC has told PCB that it will get back once discussing the issue with the government and relevant security agencies,” said a source.

“It seems unlikely that tour will proceed as schedule, but there is nothing official from both the boards. PCB is not putting any pressure on Sri Lanka as it understands the position,” the source added.

Meanwhile, Saim Ayub, the player of U19 team said that he was looking forward to play in Sri Lanka.

“As a cricketer I was looking forward to the tour. It is hard time for them and we must stand with them,” said Saim who was also a part of PSL team Quetta Gladiators but didn’t get opportunity to show his skills.

“We are well prepared and hopeful for winning the series,” he said.