Whatmore focussed on training players for Sri Lankan series

Karachi, Apr 24(ANI): The Pakistan cricket team's head coach, Dav Whatmore, has decided to shift focus to training players for the tour of Sri Lanka after the disappointment of Bangladesh postponing its tour of Pakistan.

"I was born in Sri Lanka and lived through a civil war. I've been living in Lahore for two months and have been moving freely. If I knew more areas in the city, I'd be moving around more as I don't have any security issues here. As a foreigner, I will play my role to tell the outside world that Pakistan is safe," The Express Tribune quoted Whatmore, as saying.

"The country is starved of international cricket. There's a lot of craze for the game and I saw it at the Super Eight Twenty20 Cup in Rawalpindi, and then, when the British universities team came to Lahore, where the crowd tuned up in huge numbers," he added.

His statement came after the Dhaka High Court issued a stay order on the Bangladesh team's visit to Pakistan for two limited-overs matches.

Whatmore also hoped for the success of the Pakistan Premier League (PPL) being planned by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

"I think international players will come to play the PPL. Once it is known to them that such an event is being organised, I am very much hopeful they will turn up in good numbers," Whatmore added.

The Twenty20 tournament, which is scheduled to take place in October, is expected to see the participation of international players and will be organized along the lines of the Bangladesh and Indian Premier Leagues. (ANI)