Daijiworld Media Network - Colombo

Colombo, Nov 14: The Pakistan–Sri Lanka ODI series narrowly avoided a major crisis after eight Sri Lankan players, shaken by Tuesday’s suicide blast in Islamabad that killed 12 people, initially decided to return home before reversing their decision following high-level assurances.

The explosion occurred just hours before the first ODI in Rawalpindi, triggering deep concern among the visiting players. The fear was heightened by the traumatic memory of the 2009 terror attack on the Sri Lankan team in Lahore, where several players were injured and eight people lost their lives.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi personally visited the Sri Lankan squad at the training ground on Thursday and thanked them for continuing the tour, saying their decision saved Pakistan from heavy embarrassment on the global stage.

Pakistan’s interior ministry confirmed that the situation was stabilised after direct intervention by Field Marshal Asim Munir. Naqvi told the Senate that the military chief spoke to Sri Lanka’s defence minister and top officials, giving them complete security assurance at a critical moment when the visiting players had already made up their minds to return.

Naqvi said Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake also spoke to his country’s players, urging them to stay on. Following these exchanges, Sri Lanka Cricket announced late on Wednesday that the tour would proceed.

Naqvi said the Sri Lankan side had many concerns but Pakistan worked swiftly to address every one of them. He praised the players for showing courage and trust, allowing the series to continue under strengthened security arrangements.