Defending Charith Asalanka & et al.

ON 11 November, a suicide attack outside a court in Pakistan's capital Islamabad killed 12 people and injured at least 27 others.

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The tragedy coincided with the one-day series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka, and the hotel at which the Sri Lankan cricketers were hosted was situated in the same city. After the attack, reports emerged that a few cricketers of the national team wanted to return to the country in view of the concerns for their safety.

The Sri Lankan media reported that one-day captain Charith Asalanka was at the forefront of convincing his teammates to leave the tour abruptly. Following the chaos, rumours emerged Sri Lanka Cricket - the administrative body of the game - was angered by the conduct of the left-handed batsman, and the authorities were looking to strip him off from the captaincy in addition to banning from international cricket for a period of 3 years. Ostensibly, one Cricket writer cum Basketball coach was carrying out a vindictive attack against the old Richmondite after the latter's alleged attempt to leave the tour midway together with his fellow players.