The Sri Lankan cricket team reached Karachi for the series of three ODI and three T20 matches against Pakistan.
On arrival in Karachi, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Director International Zakir Khan and other PCB officials welcomed the team.
The Sri Lankan cricket team arrived in Karachi by a foreign airline flight, the officials of the Sri Lankan Cricket Board have also arrived in Karachi with the players.
The players were taken directly from the plane to the state lounge where the players were treated to tea and biscuits.
After that, the team left the airport under tight security to a local hotel in Karachi where the visiting team was warmly welcomed.
The Sri Lankan cricket team will first play three ODI matches in Karachi, in which the guest team will be led by Leharu Thirimane, after which Dawson Shanaka will lead the guest team in three T20 matches in Lahore.
The Sri Lankan team will practice at the National Stadium on Wednesday afternoon, while the teams will have a practice session on Thursday, after which the first one-day match will be played in Karachi on Friday.
Earlier, while leaving Sri Lanka, Sri Lankan team captain Thirimane said that his team is determined to play good cricket in Pakistan. is
It should be noted that the Pakistan Cricket Board has given the Sri Lankan cricket team the same security protocol as the heads of state.
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How does the PCB plan to leverage the successful tour of the Sri Lankan team to attract more international cricket events to Pakistan?
**Interview with Zakir Khan, Director International, Pakistan Cricket Board**
**Interviewer:** Welcome, Zakir. The Sri Lankan cricket team has just arrived in Karachi for an exciting series of ODIs and T20s against Pakistan. What was the atmosphere like upon their arrival?
**Zakir Khan:** Thank you. The atmosphere was very welcoming. We were delighted to receive the Sri Lankan team and our PCB officials ensured that they felt at home right from the moment they landed. The team was greeted warmly, and the security arrangements were executed flawlessly.
**Interviewer:** The players were treated to tea and biscuits and quickly whisked away to their hotel under tight security. How important is this level of hospitality and security for international teams visiting Pakistan?
**Zakir Khan:** It’s critical for fostering trust and ensuring a positive experience for the visiting teams. We want them to feel safe and appreciated. Providing high-level security is a priority, akin to the protocols for heads of state, to assure them of their safety during their stay.
**Interviewer:** Captain Leharu Thirimane expressed his team’s determination to play good cricket in Pakistan. How do you think the team’s spirit and mindset will influence their performance?
**Zakir Khan:** A positive mindset is essential in sports. If the Sri Lankan team feels confident and motivated, it can translate into exceptional performance on the field. We’ve seen teams perform remarkably well when they are in a positive space mentally.
**Interviewer:** Now, with the backdrop of international cricket facing uncertainties over security and logistics, do you think the Sri Lankan team’s willingness to tour will influence other teams’ decisions in the future?
**Zakir Khan:** Absolutely. The decision to tour is complex and influenced by many factors, including perceptions of safety. If teams like Sri Lanka have a good experience here, it may pave the way for more international cricket in Pakistan.
**Interviewer:** That brings us to the crucial question for our readers: Do you think other international teams will feel encouraged to tour Pakistan again, following the safe and positive experience of the Sri Lankan team?
**Zakir Khan:** That’s the big question, isn’t it? Readers may have differing opinions based on their own views of security and safety in international sports. I look forward to hearing their thoughts on how we can restore full confidence in Pakistan as a cricketing destination.
