Sri Lanka Confirms Pakistan Tour to Continue Amid Tightened Security Measures

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) on Wednesday confirmed that its national team will continue the ongoing tour of Pakistan as planned, dismissing speculation about players returning home after Tuesday’s suicide bombing in Islamabad that killed 12 people and injured 27 outside a court.

“No player is returning home,” the Sri Lankan team manager told Geo News, reaffirming the squad’s commitment to the tour.

In a formal statement, the SLC said that while some players had expressed concerns and requested to return to Sri Lanka, the board had engaged directly with them and assured that all safety measures were being coordinated closely with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and relevant authorities.

The statement emphasized that all players, coaches, and support staff were directed to remain in Pakistan and proceed with the series as scheduled. However, the board clarified that if any individual still chose to leave, they would be replaced to ensure the continuation of matches without disruption. Any such decision, SLC added, would be subject to formal review and possible disciplinary action after the tour.

Following the incident, the PCB said that security around the Sri Lankan squad had been further strengthened. PCB Chairman and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met the Sri Lankan players to brief them on the updated security protocols.

Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka by six runs in the opening one-day international (ODI) in Rawalpindi on Tuesday, just hours after the bombing in the twin city of Islamabad.

Naqvi also announced a slight change in schedule, with the remaining matches now set to take place on November 14 and 16 instead of November 13 and 15.

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar extended gratitude to the visiting team, saying, “We are honoured by your presence.” Defence Minister Khawaja Asif also thanked the Sri Lankan players for continuing the tour, calling their presence “a gesture of friendship and resilience.”

Read More: Islamabad blast a message to the state, says Khawaja Asif

PSL franchise Lahore Qalandars praised the Sri Lankan team for “defeating terrorism,” while Punjab Assembly member Hina Parvez Butt lauded their solidarity, saying that “every run scored in this series is a victory against terrorism.”

Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb echoed similar sentiments, stating, “Partners in peace, rivals on the pitch — united for a better tomorrow.”

Later in the day, the Sri Lankan High Commissioner to Pakistan met Interior Minister and PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi in Islamabad, expressing satisfaction with the security arrangements for the visiting team.

The meeting was attended by both team managers, PCB Chief Operating Officer Sameer Ahmed, the Islamabad chief commissioner, and the capital’s police chief. Officials briefed the envoy in detail on the multi-layered security plan in place for the tour.

Naqvi reaffirmed that the Sri Lankan players were “state guests” and that ensuring their safety was “the government’s top priority.”

The Sri Lankan High Commissioner conveyed condolences over the loss of lives in the Islamabad attack and appreciated Pakistan’s swift security response, reaffirming Colombo’s trust and solidarity with Islamabad.