Malinga, Karunaratne among latest Sri Lanka stars reluctant to tour Pakistan: report
Sri Lankan Chief Selector Ashantha de Mel is reportedly facilitating players who do not want to make the trip up north.
Several senior players of the Sri Lankan cricket team have started hinting that they would not be travelling to Pakistan for the upcoming ODI and T20I series that starts later this month.
The islanders' ODI captain Dimuth Karunaratne, as per Roznama Express, is already refusing to make the short trip up north, whereas T20I skipper Lasith Malinga is taking a similar line.
Sri Lankan Chief Selector Ashantha de Mel, as per the Urdu daily, has apparently assured the team members that there won't be any consequences for missing the tour and that any player who decides against going to Pakistan will still be guaranteed their place in the side.
Read: Dickwella, Perrera not 'too keen' to visit Pakistan
De Mel's assurances have reportedly paved the way for players to be reluctant to make the trip.
However, Sri Lankan Sports Minister Harin Fernando is trying his hardest to convince players, reportedly telling them that he himself would accompany the team to Pakistan if any players have apprehensions about security.
The Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has also begun approaching players in a bid to convince them, with a formal meeting in this regard is expected to take place on Sep 9.
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