ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has confirmed that the ongoing Pakistan tour will continue as scheduled after their national team players requested to return home over security concerns.
According to the official statement, SLC has instructed all national team players, support staff, and team management to continue with the ongoing three-match ODI series as scheduled.
“If any player or member of the team staff or management decides to return, Sri Lanka Cricket will immediately send replacements to ensure that the tour continues without interruption,” the statement assured.
Earlier, Sri Lankan cricketers requested to quit their ongoing tour and return home after a suicide bombing in Islamabad, where the team is staying, on Tuesday during their first ODI match. The bombing outside the district courts killed 12 and wounded 27.
The Sri Lankan cricketing body warned that “if any player or member of the support staff returns despite its directives, a formal review will be conducted to assess their actions, and an appropriate decision will be made upon the conclusion of the review.”
“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,” the SLC statement added.
The cricket board stated that following this development, they 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 their safety and well-being.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi welcomed the Sri Lankan cricket board’s decision to continue the Pakistan tour.
“Grateful to the Sri Lankan team for their decision to continue the Pakistan tour. The spirit of sportsmanship and solidarity shines bright,” the PCB chairman, who is also the Interior Minister, wrote on X.
“The ODI matches between Pakistan and Sri Lanka will be played on 14th and 16th November in Rawalpindi,” he stated.
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
‘Eight players to leave Pakistan’
Earlier, international news agency AFP, citing an SLC official, reported that at least eight Sri Lankan cricket team players will return home mid-tour, abandoning the ongoing three-match ODI series in Pakistan, due to security concerns.
“The second ODI against Pakistan tomorrow is in doubt, but substitute players will be sent to continue the tri-nation series,” a Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) source told AFP.
Following the touring players’ concerns, Interior Minister and PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi arrived at a private hotel in Islamabad to meet with Sri Lankan players and assure them of foolproof security and convince them to continue the tour.
Mohsin Naqvi met Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner Rear Admiral (R) Priyantha Fernando and team, assuring them of security throughout their stay, the PCB said in a statement earlier today.
اسلام آباد۔وفاقی وزیر داخلہ و چیئرمین پی سی بی محسن نقوی سے سری لنکا کے ہائی کمشنر رئیر ایڈمرل( ر) فریڈ سری ویراتنے کی ملاقات
سری لنکا اور پاکستان کرکٹ ٹیمز کے مینجرز، سی او او پی سی بی سمیر احمد، چیف کمشنر اسلام آباد ۔ آئی جی اسلام آباد پولیس بھی اس موقع پر موجود تھے
ملاقات… pic.twitter.com/3gCKv4ETVW
— PCB Media (@TheRealPCBMedia) November 12, 2025
During the meeting, the Chief Commissioner of Islamabad and IG Islamabad Police gave a detailed briefing to the Sri Lankan envoy regarding the security provided to the Sri Lankan team.
Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner expresses deep grief over the loss of precious lives in the terrorist attack in Islamabad.
On the other hand, sources said that the Sri Lanka Cricket Board has directed players to complete the Pakistan tour. “Players who leave the tour incomplete will be banned for 2 years,” the Sri Lankan Board warned.
Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka by six runs in the opening one-day international in Rawalpindi on Tuesday. The second ODI of the three-match series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka is scheduled to be played in Rawalpindi tomorrow, and the last game on Saturday at the same venue.
The ODI series will be followed by a T20I tri-series with the Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe teams, which will also take place in Pakistan from November 17 to 29.
