SL sends a very strong message to the rest of the world

Sri Lanka's players are happy to travel to Pakistan early next year despite the International Cricket Council's planned independent review of security arrangements, according to Sri Lanka Cricket interim committee chairman Arjuna Ranatunga.

Sri Lanka are poised to travel to Pakistan for a three-Test series and five one-day internationals to fill the void created by India's withdrawal due to security concerns.

"The players are more than happy to tour Pakistan and play the series there," said former captain Ranatunga.

The ICC announced on Monday that they would conduct an independent assessment of security arrangements before allowing umpires and referees to travel to Pakistan, but Sri Lanka's players have no such concerns.
Ranatunga added: "I have talked with all the leading players and they expressed their willingness to play in Pakistan.

"The Sri Lanka board are happy with the security arrangements being made for the players during their stay."

Sri Lanka Cricketers' Association secretary Graeme Labrooy also said the players are ready to travel.

"The players absolutely have no concerns about the security situation in Pakistan and have no problem about touring there," said Labrooy.
Sri Lanka's only request to the Pakistan Cricket Board has been for a change in the itinerary, with two more one-dayers - taking the total to five - in place of the twenty20 international.

unfortunately now Tunga has been fired by the BCCI

What has the BCCI got to do with this?

HH_pink wrote:What has the BCCI got to do with this?

HH pink,
BCCI had been trying to get rid of Tunga for a while because of his stance against the ICL bans from S Lankan domestic cricket.

I see. Cricinfo says he was thrown out by some Srilankan minister. You're saying the BCCI could've had a hand. Fair enough.

Sri Lanka wants series against India, not Pakistan
Date: 23 December, 2008(Tuesday)
Bipin Dani

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) likely to get another jolt soon. Subsequently after the refusal by the BCCI to send a team to Pakistan next month, Mahela Jaywardane team may also not be permitted to replace India in Pakistan, according to the Sri Lankan sports minister Gamini Lokuge.

Speaking over his mobile from Colombo, minutes after sacking interim committee chairman Arjuna Ranatunga, Lokuge said, "It is news to me that he[Ranatungta] had committed to the PCB for this tour. He even did not consult the interim committee members".

"I would like India to come to Sri Lanka rather than our team participating in Pakistan. I am yet to decide whether to hold elections for the Sri Lanka board or run one more interim committee," Lokuge added.

Earlier today, Lokuge dissolved Sri Lanka Cricket – which was headed by Arjuna Ranatunga. "Minister of Sports and Public Recreation Gamini Lokuge has dissolved the Sri Lanka Cricket Interim Committee with immediate effect," a media statement said.

Sports ministry secretary S. Liyanagama has been appointed to oversee the day-to-day affairs of the cricket administration until a new management committee is installed.

The next man to head Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) would certainly be pro-BCCI and not like Arjuna Ranatunga who was at loggerheads with the Indian cricket board on several issues.

the slca and the pcb make the bcci look like corporate wizards

india going to lanka again seems silly. better they tour us

Sorry I was right, PP.

Poor old Pak could find themselves in the wilderness Saffie style, or at best, be confined to playing all their cricket away from home.

Zat wrote:Sorry I was right, PP.

It isn't on cricinfo yet so hopefully you are wrong.... :|

wow ... a terrible turn of events...tho two things have come out of this ...

1. the paksters must not be alowed to be isolated from international cricket...Australia among other countries has a responsibility to play lots of cricket against the stanlanders both here and stanland.

2. finally if Tunga has been sacked because of his stance then finally there is a cause for real admiration of fat arjuna