KEY POINTS
- Sri Lanka Cricket has instructed players and management to continue with the ODI series in Pakistan.
- Pakistan has increased security arrangements for the Sri Lankan team.
ISLAMABAD: Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has instructed its players, staff, and team management to proceed with the upcoming tri-nation series in Pakistan.
Some players of the Sri Lankan team had raised security concerns following a deadly suicide bombing in Islamabad.
The bombing, which occurred outside the district and sessions court in Islamabad, killed 12 people and injured 36 others.
The incident took place amidst the ongoing international events in the capital, including the first one-day international (ODI) between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi.
Initially, sources had indicated that at least eight Sri Lankan players might return home due to safety fears. Reports suggested that some players had expressed concerns for their well-being following the attack.
“The second ODI against Pakistan tomorrow is in doubt, but substitute players will be sent to continue the tri-nation series,” a source said.
However, Sri Lanka Cricket issued a statement confirming that all players and management were instructed to continue with the tour as scheduled.
SLC’s statement explained that several members of the team had requested to return home following the bombing, citing safety issues.
The board engaged with the players and reassured them that their concerns were being addressed through coordination with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and local authorities to ensure their safety.
SLC further emphasised that if any player or member of the team chose to return to Sri Lanka despite the directive to continue the tour, replacements would be sent immediately. A formal review would also be conducted to assess their actions and make an appropriate decision.
The PCB also increased security around the Sri Lankan team following the attack, with the Sri Lankan High Commissioner, Rear Admiral (retired) Fred Seneviratne, expressing satisfaction with the enhanced measures after meeting with Interior Minister and PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and Information Minister Attaullah Tarar both expressed their gratitude to the Sri Lankan team for their continued support and sportsmanship, despite the security concerns. The remaining matches of the series are scheduled to take place in Rawalpindi on Thursday and Saturday.
Several Sri Lankan cricketers who are currently in Pakistan and are also part of the Indian Premier League (IPL) are, according to some observers, under pressure from India to return home.
