‘No Indian Influence Over Our Players Dropping Out Of Pakistan Tour’: Sri Lanka Rubbishes Pakistani Minister’s Claim

Sri Lanka has rejected claims made by Pakistani minister Fawad Hussain Chaudhry that India threatened the players of island nation against participating in an upcoming cricket series in Pakistan.

Sri Lanka’s Sports Minister Harin Fernando on Tuesday (10 September) said that the ten Sri Lankan players opted out of the tour “purely” based on the 2009 incident when their team bus was attacked by terrorist which left eight people dead and several others injured, reports Economic Times.

"No truth to reports that India influenced Sri Lankan players not to play in Pakistan. Some decided not to play purely based on 2009 incident. Respecting their decision we picked players who were willing to travel. We have a full strength team & we hope to beat Pakistan in Pakistan," Fernando tweeted on Tuesday (10 September) night.

Fernando’s statement came in response to Pakistan’s Science and Technology Minister Fawad Hussain Chaudhry’s claim that India threatened Sri Lankan players of being ousted from the Indian Premier League (IPL), if they visit Pakistan.

Earlier on Monday (9 September), following a security briefing with Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) board, ten Sri Lankan players including Lasith Malinga and Angelo Mathews opted out of the Pakistan tour starting from 27 September