Several Sri Lankan cricketers and support staff are planning to leave Pakistan midway through the ODI series due to bomb threats. The Sri Lanka Cricket Board (SLC) has warned them. The governing body of Sri Lankan cricket has threatened strict action if they return from Pakistan without permission.
The statement said, “SLC has already contacted the players. They have been assured that all necessary arrangements will be made to ensure the safety of all in consultation with the PCB and the relevant authorities. However, if any player returns to the country without following the SLC’s instructions, their activities will be reviewed for evaluation and a decision will be taken only after that.”
The Sri Lanka team is currently in Islamabad to play a three-match ODI series against Pakistan. The city was hit by a suicide bomb attack on Tuesday. When the decision to return was announced due to this fear, discussions were held between the visiting team players, team management, SLC officials and Pakistani security personnel, ESPNcricinfo reported. The last two ODIs of the series have been postponed by a day amid uncertainty.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi said that the last two matches will be played on November 14 and 16 instead of November 13 and 15. According to the report, Cricinfo said that Naqvi will meet the Sri Lankan players. He will assure the safety of the visiting team members.
Sri Lanka lost the first ODI of the series to Pakistan by 6 wickets. After the ODI series, they will play a tri-nation T20 series with Pakistan and Zimbabwe.
