Sri Lanka dedicate Pakistan T20I series to rebuilding efforts following cyclone

As reported by Sri Lankan media, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has decided to dedicate their home T20I series against Pakistan to the government’s “Rebuilding Sri Lanka” initiative. The decision comes as the Sri Lankan government works on recovery efforts following the havoc caused by the Ditwah Cyclone in early December, which killed more than 600 people. 

'Rebuilding Sri Lanka' initiative

As per the decision, which was approved by the SLC Executive Committee, the board will raise awareness about the programme during the three-match series. This will also include promoting the #VisitSriLanka initiative to encourage tourism in the country. 

Besides this, the Sri Lankan board has also pledged to donate the earnings from the home series to the rebuilding and recovery efforts. 

Sri Lanka will host Pakistan for a three-match T20I series, set to be played on January 7, 9 and 11. The series will help both teams prepare for the T20 World Cup, which will be played in Sri Lanka and India from February 7 to March 8. For Pakistan, this will be somewhat of a dress rehearsal as all of their World Cup games will be played in Sri Lanka.

No pre-departure Training Camp

The visitors will not establish a training camp ahead of the departure to Sri Lanka. Reportedly, most of Pakistan’s white-ball foreign coaching staff, including the coaches, had returned to their home countries for Christmas and New Year. In addition to them, many players who have been participating in franchise leagues might join the side in Sri Lanka as well. 

The rest of the squad is set to arrive on the Island on January 4 and 5. All three matches of the tour will be played in Dambulla. 

Pakistan squad for three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka:

Salman Ali Agha (c), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmad, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Nafay (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan (wk), Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan (wk) and Usman Tariq

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