RAWALPINDI: Pakistani cricketers thanked the Sri Lankan team for continuing the ODI series as planned after the tragic suicide attack in Islamabad.
The ODI team skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi in a video shared by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on X saying that “We are grateful to Sri Lanka and its cricket team, who remained standing with Pakistan and cricket in the difficult time,” said captain Shaheen Shah Afridi.
Salman Ali Agha, the T20I captain said: “Thank you, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), for understanding and staying on for the tour. We as a nation have already suffered and lost a lot, and our Government, Security Forces, PCB, and fans have made significant sacrifices and efforts to host international cricket at home.”
The Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) board on earlier confirmed that the team’s ongoing tour of Pakistan will continue as planned, despite some players expressing a desire to return home due to security concerns.
In a statement, SLC said that if any player still wishes to return to Sri Lanka despite assurances, they will be replaced to ensure the series continues without disruption.
However, such players will undergo a formal review by the cricket board after returning home.
The announcement followed reports that 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.
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
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
— Attaullah Tarar (@TararAttaullah) November 12, 2025
🇵🇰🇱🇰#FriendshipNotOut
SL Board Asks Players to Complete Tour
Before, the Sri Lankan Cricket Board had directed the players to complete the tour of Pakistan. Official decisions still pending.
The Sri Lankan cricket team, which came to Pakistan for the one-day series and the tri-nation T20 series, had requested to leave the tour incomplete and return home.
However, the Sri Lankan Cricket Board has directed the players to complete the tour.
According to sources in the Sri Lankan Board, a two-year ban will be imposed on the player who leaves the tour incomplete.
To address security concerns, Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met the Sri Lankan High Commissioner and the team manager and guaranteed foolproof security.
Also read: Pak vs SL ODI: Sri Lanka cricket team to continue Pakistan tour
