“We can’t allow the terrorists to have control”

Image courtesy of: The Telegraph

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Najam Sethi has announced that the board has invited Sri Lanka to tour the war-torn nation.

Pakistan have not hosted any international teams after the Sri Lankan team were ambushed by armed militants in March 2009. Several Sri Lankan cricketers were injured in the attack, including Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara and Ajantha Mendis. Six security officers and two civilians were killed in the horrific attack.

Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who is currently at a summit in China, stated that the national team “must go to Pakistan and play there”.

“We must go and play there also,” President Rajapaksa said during a meeting with Pakistan President Mamnoon Hussain. “We can’t allow the terrorists to have control.”

Responding to President Rajapaksa’s positive comments, Sethi said: “We are very much concerned about being isolated, without major international cricket in Pakistan. We have heard the positive statement by the president of Sri Lanka and we are writing them and offering them a home series in Pakistan.

“We are writing them that there is no security problem and you are welcome and we will provide you the maximum security with the help of the Punjab Government.

“We are ready to host them and will chalk out a suitable window for them. Our top priority is to host an international team and we are making efforts to do that.”