Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has welcomed Sri Lankan board’s decision to keep the cricket team in Pakistan for playing remaining ODI matches and tri-series involving Zimbabwe as the last two one-day internationals rescheduled, it was reported on Thursday.
In a post uploaded on X platform, Mohsin Naqvi said he was grateful to the Sri Lankan team for their decision to continue the Pakistan tour.
“The spirit of sportsmanship and solidarity shines bright,” he said and added, “The (remaining) ODI matches between Pakistan and Sri Lanka will be played on 14th and 16th November in Rawalpindi.”
The Sri Lankan cricket team decided to continue its Pakistan tour after the PCB chief assured enhanced security measures for players and staff, following concerns raised within the visiting squad after the deadly suicide blast in Islamabad on Tuesday, the day when the first ODI was played in Rawalpindi.
Earlier, Sri Lanka’s team manager had hinted that at least eight players were considering cutting the tour short and returning home, prompting urgent discussions between officials of both boards.
According to sources, the PCB made every possible effort to safeguard the ongoing ODI and upcoming tri-series, assuring Sri Lanka that security around the team would be further strengthened.
Following these assurances, the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) confirmed that the team would proceed with the tour. The SLC stated that if any player chooses not to continue, replacements would be arranged.
The Lankan board added that PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi personally briefed the Sri Lankan players for 90 minutes on the security arrangements, reiterating that the safety of all team members and officials remains the top priority.
The PCB chief allayed all the fears of the Sri Lankan players and persuaded them to continue the tour.
Mohsin Naqvi also assured that he will personally supervise the security of the players. He even invited the families to the Sri Lankan players to visit Pakistan to watch matches.
Earlier on Wednesday, Sri Lankan High Commissioner Rear Admiral (r) Fred Srivirathne met with Mohsin Naqvi and discussed the security of the visiting Lankan cricket team.
Managers of Sri Lanka and Pakistan cricket teams, COO PCB Sameer Ahmed, Chief Commissioner Islamabad and IG Islamabad Police were also present on the occasion.
In the meeting, a detailed briefing was given by the Chief Commissioner Islamabad and IG Islamabad Police on the security provided to the Sri Lankan team.
Sri Lankan High Commissioner expressed deep sorrow over the loss of precious lives in the terrorist attack in Islamabad.
Mohsin Naqvi said the Sri Lankan cricket team members are state guests and that providing them with a secure environment is the government’s top priority. He assured that foolproof security arrangements had been ensured for the visiting team.
The Sri Lankan High Commissioner expressed satisfaction with the security arrangements made for the Sri Lankan team.
Late Wednesday night, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) 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, 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.
Six Sri Lankan players were wounded in March 2009 when gunmen opened fire on their team bus as it was taking them to Gaddafi 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.
The PCB also issued a new schedule for the T20 tri-nation series involving Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe, which will start from November 18 (Tuesday) and final will be played on November 29.
Army Rangers to guard Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe teams
Federal government has deployed Army and Rangers for foolproof security arrangements for Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe cricket teams’ tour of Pakistan.
According to government sources, Army and Punjab Rangers have been deployed till November 30.
The Federal Ministry of Interior has issued orders for the deployment of Army and Rangers.
Pakistan Army has been deployed under Article 245 of the Constitution while Rangers have been deployed under the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997.
Army and Rangers have been deployed for security and protection duties as second and third tier.
Army and Rangers were deployed at the request of Punjab government.
Services were sought for security of cricket matches in Lahore and Rawalpindi.
