‘Our focus is on cricket’: Thirimanne unconcerned about security in Pakistan

Sri Lanka’s stand-in captain says he is “happy” with the security arrangements.

By Web Desk
September 14, 2019
Photo: AFP

Sri Lanka’s stand-in ODI captain Lahiru Thirimanne does not appear too concerned about the security situation in Pakistan, and wants to focus on cricketing matters rather than anything else.

Thirimanne, in an exclusive interview with bdcrictime.com, seemed upbeat about Sri Lanka’s chances of touring Pakistan even when Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) have said that they would reassess the security plans in the light of a terrorism threat highlighted in an intelligence report.

“Our focus is not the security right now but cricket,” said Thirimanne, who has been given the captaincy mandate for just the Pakistan series due to regular captain Dimuth Karunaratne’s refusal to travel.

“SLC has presented us the security plan which we are getting in Pakistan so I’m pretty happy with that and I explained to my family as well, so they don’t have a concern since we represent our country.”

Several Sri Lankan players, including the regular skipper and pace superstar Lasith Malinga, have opted not to tour Pakistan, where the Sri Lankan team had come under attack in 2009. Thirimanne has asked the players’ choices to be respected.

“It’s a personal matter sometimes when the player is ready to go but the families not happy so we have to think about everything. So, these decisions (senior skipping the tour) have to be respected,” he said.

If the Sri Lankan team ends up touring Pakistan, it will be significantly weakened side, but Thirimanne is still confident of putting up a good fight.

“It’s important that we play our best brand of cricket whatever the situation and the team combination we have. But still we have a good team. I believe if we play to our potential we can do very well,” he said.

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