Pakistani cricketers thanked the Sri Lankan team for their humble gesture in avoiding security issues during the ODI series by announcing a continued tour.
“We are grateful to Sri Lanka and its cricket team, who stood by Pakistan and cricket during the difficult times,” captain Shaheen Shah Afridi said in a video shared by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on X.
Furthermore, T20I skipper Salman Ali Agha said, “Thank you, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), for your understanding and for staying with us during 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.”
He also urged the fans to fill the stadium for the remaining ODIs.
The second ODI, originally scheduled for Thursday, November 13, has been moved to Friday, November 14, with the final match on Sunday, November 16.
The SLC had made it clear a day earlier that if a player wishes to return to Sri Lanka despite the assurance, he will be replaced in a bid to ensure the continuation of the ongoing series without interruption, but the player would have to undergo a formal review by the cricket board over his actions.
The statement comes after fears were raised after the suicide bombing in Islamabad killed 12 people and injured 27 outside the district court.
The SLC said the team management had informed the board that some members of the national team had submitted a request to leave Pakistan.
The board said it had immediately engaged with the players and assured them that all safety concerns were being addressed in close coordination with the PCB and relevant authorities.
It instructed all players, support staff and team management to remain in Pakistan and continue the tour as planned.
However, SLC clarified that if any player or team member did choose to return home, replacements would be sent immediately to ensure the series continued without interruption.
The cricket board also warned that any player or staff member found violating the directive will undergo a formal review after the tour ends and disciplinary action will be taken accordingly.
