COLOMBO: Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) on Wednesday told its players to remain in Pakistan or risk facing a “formal review” after members of the squad declared their intention to depart early from their tour of the country due to security concerns.
The players expressed fears for their safety following Tuesday’s suicide bombing in the Pakistani capital, which killed 12 and wounded 27 outside a court.
SLC issued a statement saying it had instructed the team to go ahead with their ongoing tour of Pakistan as scheduled despite an unspecified number of players requesting to return home.
“If any player, players, or member of the support staff return despite SLC’s directives, a formal review will be conducted... and an appropriate decision will be made,” the board said.
It added that replacements would be sent to ensure the tour continues without interruption.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed that the second ODI scheduled for Thursday has been put back by one day to Friday while Saturday’s third match will now be played on Sunday. Both will be in Rawalpindi.
“Grateful to the Sri Lankan team for their decision to continue the Pakistan tour,” PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi said on social media. “The spirit of sportsmanship and solidarity shines bright.”
Six Sri Lankan players were wounded in March 2009 when gunmen opened fire on their team bus as it was taking them to Qaddafi Stadium in Lahore for a Test match.
The incident led to international teams staying away from Pakistan for nearly a decade.
Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by six runs in the opening ODI in Rawalpindi on Tuesday, a game that went ahead despite the suicide attack in the twin city of Islamabad.
The PCB said security around the visiting team had been tightened following the attack.
Naqvi met Sri Lankan players at their Islamabad hotel on Wednesday and assured them of their safety, Pakistani officials said.
Sri Lanka are playing in a three-match ODI series against Pakistan before taking part in a T20 tri-series tournament against the hosts and Zimbabwe from November 17-29.