Sri Lanka cricketers fear repeat of 2009 terrorist attack in Pakistan as SLC forces team to stay on despite suicide bombing

A large number of Sri Lankan cricketers do not wish to continue their ODI series in Pakistan after a suicide bombing rocked Islamabad, but the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has threatened them with strict action if they leave the tournament midway. The Sri Lankan team is currently in Pakistan for a three-match ODI series, followed by a T20I tri-series which starts on 17 November.

However, at least eight players want to return home, reportedly, after a suicide bombing outside a court in Islamabad on Tuesday killed 12 and injured 27. Despite the ongoing fear and possibility of a security threat, the Sri Lanka Cricket Board has asked the players to stay back in Pakistan and complete the cricketing assignments.

Sri Lanka board warns players against leaving Pakistan

In a statement on Wednesday, SLC said that it has “instructed all players, support staff, and team management to continue with the tour as scheduled,” assuring them that “all such concerns are being duly addressed in close coordination with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the relevant authorities to ensure the safety and well-being of every member of the touring party”.

SLC also added that if some payers of support staff decided to return home, replacements would be sent to complete the series as planned, but actions against those who leave the team would be taken.

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“If any player, players, or member of the support staff return despite SLC’s directives, a formal review will be conducted to assess their actions, and an appropriate decision will be made upon the conclusion of the review,” the statement added.

Pakistan, meanwhile, has said that the security arrangements for the visiting Sri Lankan team have been increased after the Islamabad terror attack.

Sri Lanka players fear 2009 attack

Still, it’s quite understandable that the players are jittery and unwilling to play matches at the moment. The situation is similar to the 2009 Lahore terror attack when the Sri Lankan team bus was targeted by terrorists, injuring six players.

The team bus was carrying the players to Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium when gunmen attacked the team. The Sri Lankan team was evacuated from Pakistan and as a result, no international cricket was played in Pakistan for nearly a decade.

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For the unversed, Pakistan won the first ODI of the ongoing three-match series by six runs on 11 November. The second ODI is scheduled for 14 November (Friday).