Former PCB Chairman Tauqir Zia has strongly criticized the statement of Sri Lankan captain Tilkaratne Dilshan in which he said he would not play cricket in Pakistan. While reacting to the statement of the Sri Lankan Captain, Zia opined that as a captain he must refrain from giving such statements. He said Pakistan has always supported Sri Lankan cricket through thick and thin. He said that it was a good sign that on Monday, Afghanistan became the first foreign squad to arrive in Pakistan after the attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team, some two years back. Former Test cricketer Abdul Qadir also criticised Dilshan’s remarks terming it irresponsible. He said Sri Lanka Board and ICC must take notice of it as it is damaging for the game. He further said that Sri Lankans should remember that Pakistan cricket team toured Sri Lanka on multiple occasions in the past even when their country was fighting war against Indian-sponsored LTTE militants. And ironically, sources have claimed the attack on Sri Lankan team was also an Indian sponsored attack in Lahore. Dilshan had said that he would not play cricket in Pakistan again.
Dilshan was on the Sri Lankan team bus shot at by militants in Lahore in March 2009 during an attack which killed eight people and injured seven members of the tour party.
Tauqir, Qadir slam Dilshan’s statement
