Post by : Mariam
Al-Faris
Following a suicide bombing in Islamabad that resulted in 12 fatalities, several Sri Lankan cricketers expressed their desire to return home on Wednesday. In response, the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Board firmly instructed that players and staff must proceed with their tour or face repercussions.
This month, Sri Lanka is engaged in a tour of Pakistan, featuring three one-day internationals (ODIs) and a subsequent Twenty20 tri-series with Zimbabwe. The impending second ODI is set for Thursday in Rawalpindi, located approximately 20 km (12 miles) from Islamabad. The recent attack sparked safety concerns among the players, many of whom requested to leave.
The SLC responded by reaffirming its commitment to player safety, noting that it has been actively communicating with the team to address any apprehensions. Coordination with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and local authorities has been reinforced to ensure the well-being of the team. Despite these assurances, players, management, and support staff were reaffirmed that the tour would proceed as planned.
The board cautioned that any player opting to depart would be immediately substituted to maintain the tour's integrity. A formal evaluation of such decisions would be conducted post-tour. The number of players requesting to return home was not disclosed by the SLC.
Mohsin Naqvi, chairman of the PCB and Pakistan's federal interior minister, confirmed that the remaining two ODIs are scheduled for Friday and Sunday in Rawalpindi. He expressed appreciation for the Sri Lankan team's commitment to proceed with the tour, praising their spirit of sportsmanship.
Pakistan has faced challenges in hosting international cricket since a 2009 incident, where gunmen attacked a bus carrying Sri Lankan players in Lahore, injuring multiple players and deterring foreign teams. Since then, Pakistan has enhanced security protocols which have facilitated the return of international cricket, following a successful Sri Lankan tour in 2019.
In the current series, Pakistan triumphed in the first ODI in Rawalpindi on Tuesday by six runs. Despite the recent violence, both cricket boards remain dedicated to completing the tour, creating an opportunity for athletes to showcase their skills amid adversity.
Officials from both nations emphasized that security measures are robust and fully implemented to safeguard players and staff. The decision of the Sri Lankan cricketers to continue their stay is viewed as a testament to their trust in these precautions and their professional commitment.
The ongoing tour will be monitored closely, with both cricket boards cooperating to ensure the remaining matches proceed smoothly. Fans in both countries look forward to the series, which not only evaluates cricketing prowess but also underscores resilience in the face of unforeseen trials.
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