Security Fears Cast Shadow Over Pakistan-Sri Lanka Cricket Series

Colombo, October 27 — A deadly bomb blast in Islamabad has thrown the ongoing One-Day International (ODI) series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka into jeopardy, with eight members of the visiting Sri Lankan squad formally requesting to return home due to heightened security concerns.

The explosion, which occurred in a densely populated area of the capital, resulted in at least 12 fatalities and left dozens injured, reviving traumatic memories of a 2009 terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team itself.

The two teams are currently competing in a three-match series, with Pakistan having narrowly won the first ODI by six runs in Rawalpindi on Tuesday. The second match is scheduled for Thursday at the same venue—a city that lies in close proximity to Islamabad, a fact that has significantly amplified the players’ anxieties.

A Nation’s Lingering Trauma

The shadow of the 2009 attack looms large over this development. During that tour, the Sri Lankan team bus was ambushed by gunmen in Lahore, leaving several players, including captain Mahela Jayawardene and bowler Ajantha Mendis, injured. The incident resulted in the deaths of six Pakistani police officers and two civilians. For over a decade, Pakistan was effectively isolated as an international cricket host, forced to play its “home” matches in neutral venues like the UAE.

It was Sri Lanka’s tour in late 2019 that signaled a tentative return of international cricket to the country, making the current crisis particularly poignant and problematic for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

High-Level Assurances and Player Apprehension

In response to the players’ concerns, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) issued a statement acknowledging the request. “Following this development the SLC immediately engaged with the players and assured them that all such concerns are being duly addressed in close consultation with the Pakistan cricket board and the relevant authorities,” the board stated.

However, SLC has, for the time being, instructed the team and support staff to continue with the tour as planned.

The situation prompted urgent high-level discussions. Admiral (retired) Fred Seneviratne, the Sri Lankan High Commissioner to Pakistan, met with Pakistan’s Federal Interior Minister, Mohsin Naqvi, and PCB officials for a comprehensive security briefing.

A source familiar with the matter revealed the difficult position the players were put in. “The players were given the option of wanting to stay and complete the tour or return home… These players took the option of returning home,” the source stated, highlighting the voluntary nature of the decision.

“State Guest” Security and an Uncertain Future

In a bid to allay fears, Pakistani authorities have drastically escalated security protocols. The visiting squad has been declared “state guests,” a designation that entails the highest level of protection.

“Security has been beefed up with Pakistan Army and the paramilitary rangers now deputed to monitor the visiting players and officials,” a security source confirmed.

Despite these assurances and SLC’s insistence, the mental toll on the players is evident. Team sources indicate that replacements are being considered for those players who insist on leaving.

The immediate future of the series hangs in the balance. The outcome of the second ODI in Rawalpindi will be closely watched, not just for the result on the field, but for the signal it sends about the viability of Pakistan’s hard-won journey back to being a full-time host of international cricket. Beyond the current ODI series, Sri Lanka is also scheduled to participate in a subsequent triangular series involving Pakistan and Zimbabwe, plans which are now under a cloud of uncertainty.

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