Islamabad/Colombo: The ongoing Pakistan vs Sri Lanka ODI series has been thrown into uncertainty after eight Sri Lankan cricketers reportedly expressed serious safety concerns following a deadly bomb explosion in Islamabad, according to sources. The players have requested the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) board to cancel the remainder of the tour and allow them to return home.
The development comes just a day before the second ODI of the three-match series, which was scheduled to be played in Rawalpindi on Thursday. Given the close proximity of Rawalpindi to the blast site in Islamabad, the next match now appears to be in doubt, sources said.
Players Express Fear, SLC Considers Replacements
As per media report, the Sri Lankan board is flying in replacements to ensure the series can continue even if some players opt out.
The first ODI, held in Rawalpindi on Tuesday, went ahead as planned and ended with Pakistan defeating Sri Lanka by six runs despite the deadly explosion occurring in the twin city of Islamabad earlier that day.
In response to the heightened tension, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced that security around the visiting team has been further tightened following the blast.
“All necessary measures are in place to ensure the safety and security of the Sri Lankan team,” a PCB spokesperson said, assuring that the board remains in constant touch with both national and provincial security agencies.
Second ODI Likely to Be Cancelled
According to a PTI report, the second ODI will likely be called off due to player concerns.
The report adds that the players have conveyed their unease about continuing in Rawalpindi, given its proximity to the blast site in Islamabad, which lies just about 15 kilometres away.
The final ODI, originally scheduled for Saturday, is also in jeopardy, pending further discussions between SLC and PCB officials.
Details of the Islamabad Blast
On Tuesday, a powerful explosion ripped through a judicial complex in Islamabad, killing 12 people and injuring 27 others. Local media described it as a suicide attack, and witnesses reported hearing the blast from several kilometres away.
Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi told reporters that the attacker attempted to enter the court complex on foot before detonating the explosive device outside near a police vehicle after waiting for around 10 to 15 minutes.
Authorities later clarified that it was a car bomb, which caused significant damage to several vehicles and nearby structures. The blast occurred during peak hours, when hundreds of visitors were present for court hearings, amplifying the tragedy.
Concerns Over Cricket Safety in Pakistan
The latest incident has once again raised questions about player safety and international cricket tours in Pakistan, a country that has struggled for years to reassure visiting teams following the 2009 Lahore terror attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team.
While Pakistan has since hosted several international series without major incidents, the Islamabad blast may reignite debate over whether the nation is ready for full-scale international sporting events.
The Sri Lanka Cricket Board is expected to issue an official statement soon regarding the fate of the ongoing ODI series.