ISLAMABAD: Javed Miandad has asked Sri Lankan Cricket Board to penalize the players who have prioritized foreign T20 leagues over international matches.
Javed Miandad, former Captain of Pakistan’s cricket team, has said during an interview with APP that it would not matter which Sri Lankan players visit Pakistan, the host cricket team should only focus on their performance during the matches.
Sri Lankan cricket team is scheduled to play 3 One-Day-Internationals in Karachi and Lahore respectively with the first ODI to be played on September 27.
However, citing security threats, Sri Lanka’s top players, namely T20 skipper Lasith Malinga, former captains Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal, Suranga Lakmal, Dimuth Karunaratne, Thisara Perera, Akila Dhananjaya, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kusal Perera, and Niroshan Dickwella have decided not to visit Pakistan for participating in the ODIs.
“It does not matter which Sri Lankan players visit and Pakistan must only look to put up their best performances regardless of the visitors’ squad quality,” Miandad told APP.
Javed Miandad believes that the Sri Lankan Cricket Board should take strict action against the players who have opted not to visit Pakistan for the ODI series, instead of that the players are more inclined towards playing in foreign T20s leagues.
“International matches should be the top priority for the players and SLC should penalize the ones who have opted out of the Pakistan series,” the former player said.
Javed Miandad, A Karachi-born legendary cricket captain, he amassed more than 8500 runs in 124 test matches that he played in his cricketing career.