Sri Lankan team coach Ramesh Ratnaike has thanked Pakistan for hosting in the best way and said that now other cricket teams including Sri Lanka should not hesitate to visit Pakistan.
10 years ago in March 2009, the Sri Lankan team was attacked by terrorists on a tour of Pakistan, after which the doors of international cricket were closed on Pakistan.
After 6 years gradually the process of restoration of cricket started and after the matches of Pakistan Super League, some foreign teams and the visit of World XI, the process of restoration of world cricket started in the country.
Last month the Sri Lankan team arrived in Pakistan for the ODI and T20 series and all the six matches were held in Pakistan with perfect security.
The Sri Lankan team came back in the best way after the defeat in the ODI series and swept the world number one Pakistan in the T20 series to win the series 0-3.
Before leaving for Sri Lanka, Ramesh Ratnaike thanked Pakistan for their wonderful hospitality, saying that the tour of Pakistan was very good and expressed confidence that his team would not be the only team to visit Pakistan.
He said that this visit is a message for the Sri Lankan team to visit the whole world especially Pakistan in the future. Our visit to Pakistan will encourage many countries to visit here.
Ramesh Ratnayake said that the experience of Pakistani hospitality was amazing, I experienced it after a long time. Thank you all for.
On this occasion, the Sri Lankan coach said that with the excellent security arrangements in this successful tour, the chances of the Sri Lankan team playing the Test match in Pakistan have increased a lot and he will try to convince the players to come to Pakistan.
Ramesh Ratnaike, who played 7 Tests and 16 ODIs in Pakistan, said that the people of Pakistan are exactly the same as they were 30 years ago and we are very grateful to the Pakistani people for the way they welcomed us.
It should be remembered that the 10th and senior Sri Lankan players refused to visit Pakistan due to security concerns.
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**Interview with Ramesh Ratnaike, Sri Lankan Team Coach**
*Interviewer:* Thank you for joining us, Ramesh. The recent final between Pakistan and Sri Lanka at the Hong Kong International Sixes was exciting! How do you feel about the performance of both teams?
*Ramesh Ratnaike:* Thank you for having me! It was indeed an exhilarating match. Both teams showcased great talent and sportsmanship. I’m particularly proud of Dhananjaya Lakshan, who was awarded Player of the Match for his tremendous contribution to our victory.
*Interviewer:* Speaking of victories and matches, the historical context of cricket in Pakistan has been challenging since the attack on the Sri Lankan team in 2009. How has your perspective changed after this recent trip to Pakistan?
*Ramesh Ratnaike:* It’s been a significant journey for us all. Coming back to Pakistan, I was warmly welcomed and felt the change in atmosphere. It’s heartening to see how cricket has been revived here. The hospitality and organization have been commendable, and I genuinely believe that other teams, including Sri Lanka, should not hesitate to visit Pakistan in the future.
*Interviewer:* That’s a positive message! Can you elaborate on how visiting teams can contribute to the restoration of cricket in Pakistan?
*Ramesh Ratnaike:* Absolutely. Each time an international team tours Pakistan, it helps restore confidence in the security measures in place. It sends a message that cricket is back on its rightful stage here. It’s a beautiful country with passionate fans who deserve to see world-class cricket.
*Interviewer:* You mentioned the hospitality and organization in Pakistan. Can you share any specific experiences that stood out during your recent tour?
*Ramesh Ratnaike:* Certainly! From our arrival to our stay, everything was well-managed. The locals were incredibly friendly, and the support from the fans was overwhelming. It felt like a celebration of cricket. The way the matches were organized was top-notch, and I think that enthusiasm is crucial for reviving international cricket in Pakistan.
*Interviewer:* Thank you, Ramesh, for sharing your insights. It’s heartening to hear such a positive perspective on cricket in Pakistan.
*Ramesh Ratnaike:* Thank you! I hope this trend continues, and we see even more teams visiting Pakistan in the future.