The Sri Lankan Cricket Board (SLC) on Wednesday announced that its players will continue their tour of Pakistan, following safety concerns that led some team members to request an early return home.
Interior Minister and PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi assured the visiting squad of full security during a meeting with Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner, Rear Admiral (R) Fred Sreeviratne, and the team management.
Islamabad’s Chief Commissioner and IG Police also attended the briefing, detailing the comprehensive security measures in place.
Sources say the majority of players and coaching staff have decided to remain in Pakistan, while options to call up replacement players are under consideration if needed.
The series schedule may be adjusted to accommodate any changes, but both the ongoing ODI series against Pakistan and the planned tri-nation series with Zimbabwe are expected to continue.
The assurances come after a deadly suicide blast outside Islamabad’s G-11 district and sessions court, which killed 12 people and injured 36.
Following the incident, some Sri Lankan players expressed fears for their safety, prompting intervention by the PCB and Pakistani authorities.
According to sources, the SLC has warned that any player who leaves the tour prematurely could face disciplinary action.
PCB sources confirmed that authorities are working closely with security agencies to ensure the team can complete the tour safely.
PCB chairman expressed gratitude to the Sri Lankan cricket team for agreeing to continue their tour of Pakistan amid earlier safety concerns.
In a tweet, Naqvi confirmed that the second ODI between Pakistan and Sri Lanka has been rescheduled to Friday (November 14) from Thursday (November 13), while the third ODI will be played on Sunday (November 16).
The PCB chairman’s message came after the Sri Lankan team, following assurances of full security from the PCB and the government, decided to complete the series.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif expressed gratitude to the Sri Lankan team for “their visit and for a good display of cricket” in a post on X.
Similarly, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar expressed heartfelt gratitude to the team for visiting Pakistan, writing in his own post on X: “My heartfelt gratitude to the Sri Lankan Cricket Team for their visit to Pakistan and for always supporting the game of cricket. Keep up the sportsman spirit. We are honoured by your presence.”
It is pertinent to note that the Sri Lankan team was targeted in a terrorist attack during a Test match in Lahore in March 2009, which injured seven players along with their assistant coach.
