ISLAMABAD: The Sri Lanka cricket team’s tour of Pakistan will proceed as planned, the visiting board confirmed late Wednesday, putting to rest reports that some players were considering returning home following Tuesday’s suicide bombing in Islamabad. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced that the remaining ODIs and the T20I tri-nation tournament, featuring Zimbabwe, have been shifted to Rawalpindi from Lahore.
The PCB rescheduled the second and third ODIs to November 14 and 16 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, while the T20I Tri-Nation Tournament will now be held entirely in Rawalpindi, starting November 18 and concluding with the final on November 29. Tickets purchased for the original dates will remain valid. The changes were made in consultation with Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) and Zimbabwe Cricket to meet operational and match requirements.
Read More: SLC instructs team to continue Pak tour
Earlier, some Sri Lankan players reportedly raised safety concerns after the Islamabad blast. Team Manager Mahinda Halangode dismissed these reports, confirming that no players were returning home. SLC directed all players and support staff to continue the tour, citing comprehensive security measures arranged by Pakistan.
Interior Minister and PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi met with Sri Lankan High Commissioner Rear Admiral (retd) Fred Siriweera to reiterate that the visitors are state guests and that foolproof security arrangements are in place. PCB officials, Islamabad’s police leadership, and team managers from both sides also attended the briefing. The high commissioner expressed satisfaction with the security plan.
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SLC added that should any player or staff member decide to leave despite directives to continue, replacements would be sent immediately to ensure the tour proceeds uninterrupted. A formal review would follow to assess any actions taken contrary to the board’s instructions.