ISLAMABAD: Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has instructed its team to continue the Pakistan tour as scheduled after its national players requested to return home due to security concerns on late Wednesday.
In an official statement, the Sri Lankan cricketing body has ordered all national team players, support staff, and team management to continue with the ongoing three-match ODI series as scheduled.
“If any player or member of the team staff or management decides to return, Sri Lanka Cricket will immediately send replacements to ensure that the tour continues without interruption,” the statement assured.
Earlier, Sri Lankan cricketers requested to quit their ongoing tour and return home after a suicide bombing in Islamabad on Tuesday during their first ODI match.
The Sri Lankan cricketing body warned that “if any player or member of the support staff returns despite its directives, a formal review will be conducted to assess their actions, and an appropriate decision will be made upon the conclusion of the review.”
“Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) was informed by the team management this morning that several members of the national team currently touring Pakistan have requested to return home, citing safety concerns,” the SLC statement added.
The cricket board stated that following this development, they immediately engaged with the players and “assured them that all such concerns are being duly addressed” in close coordination with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the relevant authorities to ensure their safety and well-being.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) welcomed the Sri Lankan cricket board’s decision to continue the Pakistan tour.
“Grateful to the Sri Lankan team for their decision to continue the Pakistan tour. The spirit of sportsmanship and solidarity shines bright,” the PCB chairman, who is also the Interior Minister, wrote on X.
“The ODI matches between Pakistan and Sri Lanka will be played on 14th and 16th November in Rawalpindi,” he stated.
Grateful to the Sri Lankan team for their decision to continue the Pakistan tour .
The spirit of sportsmanship and solidarity shines bright.
The ODI matches between Pakistan and Sri Lanka will be played on 14th and 16th November in Rawalpindi.#PakistanCricket #PAKvSL— Mohsin Naqvi (@MohsinnaqviC42) November 12, 2025
Earlier, the Sri Lankan cricket team had reportedly requested to return home, leaving their Pakistan tour incomplete due to security concerns.
However, sources said that the Sri Lanka Cricket Board has instructed the players to finish the tour, or else the players may be banned for two years if they leave the tour midway, according to sources within the board.
In the meantime, Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Interior Mohsin Naqvi called on the Sri Lankan High Commissioner and the team manager to assure them of the country’s guarantee for foolproof security arrangements during their stay.
Naqvi reiterated that the Pakistani government is committed to ensuring the safety of all visiting players.
Meanwhile, the ODI series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka is all set to go ahead despite the developments. The second match of the three-match series is scheduled to take place tomorrow in Rawalpindi.
After the ODI series, Pakistan is also set to host a tri-nation series with Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe.
