Perera Impressed With Security In Pakistan
Sri Lanka’s new T20 captain Thisara Perera has revealed that he was impressed with the security provided to the players in Pakistan last month during the seriesinvolving the home side and a World XI. When 40 Sri Lankan contracted cricketers signed a letter indicating their reluctance to play the last game of the ongoing bilateral tour in Lahore, Perera was the only man to not to sign the letter. He had travelled to Lahore prior to that with the World XI squad and praised the security given to the players in Pakistan.
Although seven Sri Lankan players who are regulars in the T20 squad refused to tour Lahore, some other players softened their stance. With SLC indicating that the same team will play the Abu Dhabi games and the Lahore leg of the tour, the players who were reluctant to go to Pakistan were ineligible for selection. Eventually, the selectors appointed Perera as the captain.
“I was there in Lahore with the World XI last month and I was very impressed with the security that was given to the players. We were given security that is given to a Head of State. We were there for six days and were very impressed with the arrangements,” Perera told journalists.
Perera has not captained any team before at school or club level and said he was looking forward to the experience. “Captaining my country is a huge honour for me. It’s a new challenge as well and I am looking forward to the opportunity,” he added.
Sri Lanka were whitewashed 5-0 by Pakistan in ODIs, but Perera was confident of a fightback in the shortest format of the game. “Every team goes through tough times. It is part and parcel of cricket. As captain I have given the players confidence and told them not to be selfish but to give all what they’ve got for the team. The selectors also have echoed same sentiments.”