Sri Lanka Cricket has ordered its players to stay in Pakistan and complete the tour despite security concerns following the Islamabad blast, warning of disciplinary action for those who return home. (Image Credit: X/ @CallMeSheri1_)
A suicide bombing in Islamabad on November 11 killed at least 12 people and injured 27, setting off fresh security fears for the ongoing cricket tour of the Sri Lanka national cricket team in Pakistan.
The attack came just hours before the first ODI in nearby Rawalpindi, leading several Sri Lankan players to seek an early return home.
In a late-night statement issued on November 12, Sri Lanka Cricket instructed all players, support staff, and team management to continue the tour of Pakistan as scheduled, despite growing safety concerns.
The board further warned that any such member who goes back home against the directive will be formally reviewed and may be replaced.
The board also said the concerns were being "duly addressed in close coordination" with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and other authorities so as to guarantee the safety and well-being of every member of the touring party.
After the blast, Pakistan tightened security around the visiting squad. The PCB officials met the Sri Lankan players at their Islamabad hotel, assuring them of comprehensive protection.
The PCB also revised the remaining fixtures: the second ODI is now scheduled for Friday and the third for Sunday, both in Rawalpindi.
Yes, the 2009 attack on the bus of the Sri Lankan team in Lahore left six players injured and led to a prolonged international cricket hiatus in Pakistan.
This history resurfaces with the current blast, as Rawalpindi lies just 12 km from Islamabad, and the series resumes amid heightened tensions.
The ODI series between Sri Lanka and Pakistan, comprising three matches, is followed by a tri-nation T20 series involving Zimbabwe from November 17.
SLC's warning signals zero tolerance for withdrawals, suggesting that replacements will be flown in if any player leaves.
The board's stance has underlined its determination to maintain the integrity of the tour despite security risks.
If any member disobeys the directive, the formal review may carry career implications.
