Sri Lanka to continue Pakistan tour after PCB assures foolproof security

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) on Wednesday confirmed that its national team will continue its ongoing tour of Pakistan after initial reports suggested several players had requested to return home following a deadly terrorist attack in Islamabad.

At least 12 people were martyred and more than 36 others injured in a suicide bombing outside the District Judicial Complex in the federal capital’s G-11 area earlier in the day. The attack raised fresh concerns among the visiting Sri Lankan cricketers, some of whom reportedly cited security fears and sought permission to fly back home.

The Sri Lankan team is currently in Pakistan for a One-Day International (ODI) series and a triangular Twenty20 tournament featuring Pakistan and Zimbabwe.

Read: Agha and Rauf help Pakistan win first Sri Lanka ODI in Rawalpindi

According to AFP, at least eight Sri Lankan players initially expressed their intention to return home without participating in the remaining fixtures of the tri-nation series.

The development prompted swift intervention from Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who held an emergency meeting with Sri Lankan players and management to address their concerns.

Sources said Chairman Naqvi personally resolved each issue raised by the players and assured them that he would “personally supervise” the security of all team members throughout their stay in Pakistan.

An extensive 90-minute meeting was later held between Naqvi and the visiting team, during which he guaranteed foolproof security arrangements and offered detailed briefings on the measures being implemented. The meeting helped calm the situation, and the team agreed to continue the tour.

In a gesture of goodwill, the PCB chief also invited the families of Sri Lankan players to visit Pakistan and watch the matches in person.

Following the discussions, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) issued an official statement confirming that the tour would go ahead as planned, while warning players against withdrawing unilaterally.

“SLC engaged immediately with the players and assured them that all safety concerns are being addressed in close coordination with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and relevant authorities to guarantee the well-being of every member of the touring party,” the board said.

It added that all players, support staff, and management have been instructed to proceed with the tour as scheduled.

“If any player or official chooses to withdraw from the tour against this directive, replacements will be sent promptly to ensure no disruption to the tour schedule,” the statement read.

SLC further noted that any member of the squad or support staff who defied the board’s instructions and returned to Sri Lanka prematurely would face a formal review after the tour’s conclusion.

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi later took to X (formerly Twitter) to thank the Sri Lankan team for their decision to continue the tour.

“Grateful to the Sri Lankan team for their decision to continue the Pakistan tour,” the PCB chief wrote, adding that “the spirit of sportsmanship and solidarity shines bright.”

He also confirmed that the ODI matches between Pakistan and Sri Lanka, originally scheduled for November 13 and 15, have been postponed by one day and will now be played on November 14 and 16 in Rawalpindi.

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar also expressed appreciation, echoing similar sentiments.

“My heartfelt gratitude to the Sri Lankan cricket team for their visit to Pakistan and for always supporting the game of cricket,” he wrote, commending the visitors for upholding the spirit of sportsmanship. “We are honoured by your presence,” he added.