Islamabad blast: Eight Sri Lanka cricketers return from Pakistan; second ODI in doubt

As many as eight Sri Lankan players touring Pakistan for a three-match ODI series will return home on Thursday after raising concerns about their safety, news agency PTI reported. Their decision comes a day after a bomb blast in Islamabad killed 12 people and injured several others.

Because of this, the second ODI scheduled for Thursday in Rawalpindi may not take place. Pakistan won the first ODI by six runs at the same venue on Tuesday.

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Sri Lanka is also scheduled to play a triangular series with Pakistan and Zimbabwe after the ODI series.



"The second ODI against Pakistan tomorrow is in doubt, but substitute players will be sent to continue the tri-nation series," a Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) source was quoted as saying by the news agency AFP.

PTI reported that the Sri Lankan players wanted to return because Rawalpindi, the venue for the matches, is close to Islamabad, where the blast took place.

In 2009, the Sri Lankan team bus was attacked by gunmen on the way to the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore for the second Test. Several players, including Ajantha Mendis, Chaminda Vaas and captain Mahela Jayawardene, were injured, and Pakistani security personnel were killed.

After that attack, foreign teams did not tour Pakistan for more than 10 years, forcing Pakistan to host home series at neutral venues in the Middle East.

International cricket returned to Pakistan when Sri Lanka toured the country in December 2019.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) said it had been informed by the team management that several members of the national side currently touring Pakistan had requested to return home, citing safety concerns. Following this development, SLC engaged with the players and assured them that their concerns were being addressed in close coordination with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and relevant authorities to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone involved.

SLC has instructed all players, support staff, and team management to continue with the tour as scheduled. However, if any player or staff member still decides to return to Sri Lanka, replacements will be sent immediately to ensure the tour continues without disruption.

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