(UTV|COLOMBO) – The touring Sri Lanka cricket team received a warm welcome on their arrival at the Islamabad international airport. The two Test match series between Sri Lanka and Pakistan will resume Test cricket in Pakistan after 10 years. Lankan cricketers headed by Dimuth Karunaratne were provided high security normally given for a head of state on their way to their hotel.
As promised, the Lankan team was given bullet proof vehicles and around over 4000 security personnel from Pakistan Police and Army will be deployed around the Rawalpindi ground where the first Test will be played from tomorrow to December 15.
After 2009 Lahore attack where eight persons died and several Sri Lankan cricketers were injured, Test playing countries have refused to come to Pakistan. Sri Lanka has embarked on this goodwill tour to help Pakistan to regain their test status and Pakistan people and the government have pledged their gratitude to the Lankan team.
The second Test will be played in Karachi from December 19 to 23. Even though Sri Lanka played three ODI’s and three T20s in Pakistan last September and October, ten of the Lankan cricketers did not participate on the tour citing security reasons.
Lankan cricketers will have to battle with low temperature at Rawalpindi as the prevailing temperature is around 10 to 12 degrees Celsius. As there is no practice match before the first Test, the Lankan team will have a practice session at Rawalpindi ground today. Mickey Arthur who has first hand experience regarding Pakistan cricketers will be guiding the Sri Lankan team on this tour. (DN)
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