ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister and PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi said that Field Marshal Asim Munir assured Sri Lankan Defence Minister of their national cricket team’s security following Islamabad blast.
Speaking during senate session convened to approve 27th constitutional amendment, Mohsin Naqvi said that “Our field marshal himself spoke to their defence minister, secretary and convinced them and assured them fully of [providing] security.”
The interior minister said that yesterday the Sri Lankan team “decided to return after the bomb blast occurred” in Islamabad.
“Our interaction with them began and their board, players and everyone decided with great bravery to stay here,” the PCB added.
The development came after at least eight Sri Lankan players had expressed reluctance to continue the three-match ODI series and the upcoming T20 tri-series with Pakistan and Zimbabwe.
Their concerns arose after a suicide bombing in Islamabad on Tuesday that killed 12 people and injured 27 outside a court.
SLC confirmed that team management had informed the board earlier in the day about the players’ requests to leave Pakistan.
The board said it immediately engaged with the team to assure them that all security concerns were being addressed in close coordination with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and relevant authorities.
SLC has directed all players, support staff, and team management to remain in Pakistan and complete the tour.
The board reiterated that replacements would be arranged if any member chose to leave, but disciplinary action could follow for anyone who defied the directive.
Following the players’ reservations, the PCB announced that security around the Sri Lankan team had been further strengthened.
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