Cricket: Sri Lanka Eases Ban On Gunathilaka Before Pakistan Tour
Zeeshan Mehtab Published October 17, 2017 | 03:45 PM
Sri Lanka's cricket board Tuesday halved a six-match ban imposed on all-rounder Danushka Gunathilaka for misconduct, amid speculation several players may drop out of an upcoming Twenty20 series final in Pakistan
Colombo, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 17th Oct, 2017 ) :Sri Lanka's cricket board Tuesday halved a six-match ban imposed on all-rounder Danushka Gunathilaka for misconduct, amid speculation several players may drop out of an upcoming Twenty20 series final in Pakistan.
The board's decision clears Gunathilaka to play in the three-match series starting October 26 in the United Arab Emirates, though the final squad of 15 will not be announced until Friday. The final will be played on October 29 in Lahore, where the Sri Lankan team bus came under attack from militants in 2009.
No top international cricket side has returned to Pakistan since then. "The Executive Committee of Sri Lanka Cricket decided to revise the suspension imposed on Gunathilaka upon consideration of the appeal," Sri Lanka Cricket said in a statement.
Gunathilaka was suspended for unspecified "misconduct" during Sri Lanka's humiliating home series thrashing by India in which the islanders lost 9-0. His fine -- 20 percent of his annual match fees -- remains unchanged.
Gunathilaka was dropped from the squad for the ongoing five-match one-day international series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
His reprieve comes as players express private concerns about the board's decision to play the Twenty20 series final in Lahore.
A source close to the board said skipper Upul Tharanga and Lasith Malinga were likely to pull out of the entire series due to security concerns about the final. The board announced Monday that it would go ahead with the tour and "confirmed its commitment to play the third T20" in Lahore after assessments by government agencies, independent security experts and the International Cricket Council.
Sri Lanka Cricket chief Thilanga Sumathipala would accompany the team, the board added. In August he called for an end to Pakistan's isolation from world cricket. Pakistan shifted their "home" matches to the UAE after the 2009 militant attack.
Since then, only low-ranked Zimbabwe has toured Pakistan, playing five limited-overs games in Lahore in 2015. But a World XI squad comprising 13 players from seven top cricket-playing nations played in Lahore last month, with Pakistan hoping the visit would help end years of international isolation.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Bismah Maroof announces immediate retirement from international cricket
Malala expresses unwavering support for Gaza people
Selection committee dissolved over Pakistan women cricket team's poor performanc ..
Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz in police uniform at Chung police center
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 25 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 25 April 2024
Mired in crisis, Boeing reports another loss
Session Awarding Ceremony 2024 held at Cadet College Muzaffarabad
Austrian ski great Hirscher to make comeback under Dutch flag
Pakistan, Japan agrees to convene 'Economic Policy Dialogue'
FM Dar conveys deepest sympathy on torrential rains devastation in UAE
Spain PM Sanchez says weighing resignation after wife's graft probe
More Stories From Sports
-
Bismah Maroof announces immediate retirement from international cricket
28 minutes ago -
Norman sees Adelaide success as blueprint for all LIV Golf events
48 minutes ago -
Mohsin Naqvi reconstitutes women’s selection committee
1 hour ago -
Selection committee dissolved over Pakistan women cricket team's poor performance
3 hours ago -
Paris holds its breath for Olympic swimming events in murky Seine
5 hours ago -
Austrian ski great Hirscher to make comeback under Dutch flag
15 hours ago
-
Tennis: ATP/WTA Madrid Open results - 1st update
15 hours ago -
Osaka seals first win on clay since 2022 in Madrid
15 hours ago -
Watford hire Cleverley as permanent boss
15 hours ago -
Karachi, Lahore, Multan win matches of National Women’s Cricket Tournament
15 hours ago -
No communication gap among players, asserts Babar Azam
15 hours ago -
Bracewell looks ahead to Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan
15 hours ago