'Sri Lanka tour to go ahead as planned', confirms PCB

With a state of emergency being declared in Sri Lanka, the ground situation has changed from just protests to violence in certain parts of the country.

Pakistan national men's cricket team is currently on a two-Test tour to Sri Lanka, finishing their only warm-up game last evening in Colombo, which has seen the most unrest.

However, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has assured that the tour will go ahead as planned, and authorities are in contact with the SLC and the Pakistan high commission in the island nation regarding the safety of their players and members.

According to The News, a PCB spokesperson said, "We will go ahead with the scheduled series as there is nothing to worry about as far as safety and security of the Pakistan team are concerned. We are in constant touch with the Pakistan High Commission in Sri Lanka and the host cricket Board, which is making efforts to keep the trip trouble-free."

He reverberated Pakistan's commitment to the sport and ruled out any knee-jerk reaction.

"This is something that is directly related to the political tension in the country. However, we are keeping a close watch on the developments in Sri Lanka. We cannot take any drastic decision that goes against the standards we have set for ourselves. Our cricketers will stay in Sri Lanka and complete the international engagements," the spokesperson added. 

An official, who is with the squad, confirmed that the team is going ahead, and no member of the touring party is worried or tense.

"There is absolutely no tension and no worries whatsoever for the touring squad. We are doing our routine preparation as usual and will be heading to Galle for the opening Test of the series starting from Saturday," he said in a report. 

The Pakistan cricket team will leave for Galle today to lock horns with the hosts in the first Test of the series starting from Saturday (July 16).