Sri Lankan team decides to continue with Pakistan despite security concerns

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has confirmed that its ongoing tour of Pakistan will continue as scheduled, despite security concerns following Tuesday’s suicide bombing in Islamabad that killed 12 people and injured 27.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the SLC said the tour would proceed without interruption and directed all players, support staff, and team management to remain in Pakistan. The board noted that while some players had expressed a desire to return home, replacements would be arranged only after a formal review of their decision.

SLC assured that all safety concerns were being addressed in close coordination with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and local authorities. The board also warned that any player or staff member who defied the directive would face disciplinary action after the tour.

Following the concerns raised by the Sri Lankan team, the PCB increased security for the visitors. Interior Minister and PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi met with the Sri Lankan squad to brief them on enhanced security measures.

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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

Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar and Defence Minister Khawaja Asif both thanked the Sri Lankan team for continuing the tour, calling their decision a gesture of friendship and resilience. PSL franchise Lahore Qalandars also praised the visitors, saying the Sri Lankan team had “defeated terrorism.”

My heartfelt gratitude to the Sri Lankan Cricket Team for their visit to Pakistan and for always supporting the game of cricket. Keep up the sportsman spirit. We are honoured by your presence
🇵🇰🇱🇰#FriendshipNotOut

— Attaullah Tarar (@TararAttaullah) November 12, 2025

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Our special thanks to the Sri Lankan Cricket Team for their visit and for a good display of cricket. Our best wishes and gratitude #FriendshipNotOut

— Khawaja M. Asif (@KhawajaMAsif) November 12, 2025

Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan High Commissioner met with Naqvi and expressed satisfaction with the security arrangements. Naqvi reiterated that the Sri Lankan players were “state guests” and that their safety was the government’s top priority.

The next matches, originally scheduled for November 13 and 15, will now be played on November 14 and 16. Pakistan had earlier defeated Sri Lanka by six runs in the opening ODI in Rawalpindi.

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