Sri Lanka shouldn’t worry over Lahore T20: Pakistan cricket captain Sarfraz Ahmed

Sarfraz Ahmed says Sri Lanka should not have an issue over playing the final T20 with Pakistan in Lahore especially when a World XI played a three-match series without any fear.

Sarfraz Ahmed has moved to calm Sri Lanka’s apparent fears about playing in Pakistan later this month. (PAKISTAN vs SRI LANKA 2nd ODI LIVE)

Sarfraz Ahmed of Pakistan and International World XI captain Faf du Plessis hold the Independence Cup Trophy at the Gaddafi Cricket Stadium in Lahore on September 11, 2017. Sri Lanka are scheduled to play a T20 match in Lahore vs Pakistan on October 29. (REUTERS)

Sri Lanka beat Pakistan in a two-Test series in the United Arab Emirates and are playing five one-day internationals and two Twenty20 matches in the same country before the third and final T20, scheduled to be held in Lahore.

However, 40 contracted Sri Lanka players reportedly handed a letter to their national governing body requesting the October 29 meeting be moved to a neutral venue.

Though Afghanistan and Zimbabwe have toured Pakistan for limited-overs series, several major Test nations have refused to visit the country since the Sri Lanka team bus was attacked by gunmen in March 2009.

However, a World XI played a three-match T20 series in Pakistan last month and their skipper Sarfraz cited the success of that tour as reason for Sri Lanka not to be concerned.

“Their team should come. The recent World XI tour was successful, so they should not be worried.

“Their players did come (with the World XI), Thisara Perera came and played. Their team should visit and I hope they do come.”