'SL cricket is more important than individuals'

Sri Lanka Cricket board chief and former skipper Arjuna Ranatunga has lashed out at teams considering to boycott the Champions Trophy due to security concerns and believes they should be penalised.

Ranatunga also told CNN-IBN's Meha Bhardwaj in an exclusive interview, he wants the Sri Lankan players to pick the England tour over IPL.

Arjuna Ranatunga: We should play in Pakistan and as far as we are concerned we have no problems playing in Pakistan. When that particular Board and when that particular government gives you a green light, I think we have no objections and we should just go there and play cricket.

Only if the Pakistan Cricket Board or the Pakistan government tells us that it is not safe then that is when we should try and have alternate venues and the countries.

CNN-IBN: Do you think when these players pull out from playing for their country in tournaments like these then they should be penalized?

Arjuna Ranatunga: Yes, I think the countries should be penalized but that is my personal view. I am not talking as the Cricket Board Chief of Sri Lanka. If you take the IPL – there was a major bomb blast in Rajasthan but the players stayed back and played. I think, it is all about the attitude.

CNN-IBN: Do you think that the (Sri Lanka) players are now rethinking about or looking to going to England instead of playing in the IPL next year?

Arjuna Ranatunga: No, I think they can still play the IPL and when the tour starts they can go and play for the country. We have signed a MoU with the England Cricket Board and it is still on. And if the President of Sri Lanka tells me to cancel the England tour, then that’s the only way I am going to cancel the tour.

But as far as I am concerned I have taken a decision and I think Sri Lanka cricket is more important than the individuals.

IPL is a domestic tournament and when it comes to playing for your country, it is bigger than anything else. If I am offered $5 millions to play for the IPL and on teh other hand, offered to play for Sri Lanka without a cent then I will pick to go and play for my country.

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