A major incident occurred during the ongoing cricket series in Pakistan. A suicide bombing in Islamabad killed 12 people and injured 27.
The blast occurred outside a court, where the bomber blew himself up near a police car. Eight Sri Lankan cricketers, fearing their return, want to return home.
However, the Sri Lankan Cricket Board has clearly stated that no one will go, or face punishment. This news is causing an uproar among cricket fans.
A three-match ODI series is underway between Pakistan and Sri Lanka, with Zimbabwe joining later for a T20 tri-series. In the first match, Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka by six runs in Rawalpindi.
The very next day, a blast occurred in Islamabad. The players are scared because Rawalpindi and Islamabad are closely connected cities. Reports indicate that eight players have requested team management to return home.
Board’s strict warning, no one will leave the tour!
The Sri Lanka Cricket Board issued a statement saying, “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. Following this development, SLC 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 the safety and well-being of every member of the touring party. In this context, SLC has instructed all players, support staff, and team management to continue with the tour as scheduled.”
The board further threatened that if any player or staff member returns home, a “formal review” will be conducted. Meaning, their actions will be investigated and punishment will be decided. The board also said that replacement players will be sent so that the series is not disrupted.
The second ODI is scheduled to be held in Rawalpindi tomorrow, but this match is now in jeopardy. Some reports suggest that the players may return home by the 16th, leaving PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi embarrassed.
Old pains fresh, memories of 2009
This is not the first time the Sri Lankan team has been attacked in Pakistan. In 2009, their bus was fired upon in Lahore, injuring six players.
At that time, bus driver Muhammad Khalil had said,
“When the attackers opened fire, he thought it was celebratory fireworks. But soon he saw, in the mirror, that the Sri Lankan players had dived to either side of the aisle. He said he then saw a man on the street shoot at the bus.
‘Kalashnikov tha — one went through the glass, one flew by, and I heard the players say, ‘Go, go, go’. It jolted me and I decided To rush ahead an eight-cylinder bus wasn’t easy but I knew I had to escape the scene. They were 10-15 of them, I think, and grouped in twos. Then came a hand grenade that hit the front of the bus and rolled to the other side—and didn’t explode.
‘When I saw that grenade, I thought I should jump out and run, but these Sri Lankans are my guests—how could I leave them? And, good, I didn’t jump out, as I guess I would have been killed by a bullet anyway.’
After that attack, no international matches were played in Pakistan for 10 years. Now, the PCB has said that the Army and Rangers will increase security.
Mohsin Naqvi met with the Sri Lankan High Commissioner and assured him of their full support. But the players’ fears remain unresolved.
What will happen next for the series?
The PCB told international media that security for the visiting teams has been further strengthened following the Islamabad attack. The second ODI is on Thursday, and the third on Saturday in Rawalpindi. According to AFP, SLC President Shammi Silva said they will issue a formal statement on the continuation of the tournament.
Reports also indicate that the bomber attempted to enter the building several times before detonating near a police car. The Sri Lankan team is receiving state guest treatment, but security concerns remain.
