Humiliation for Pakistan: 8 Sri Lankan cricketers want to leave Pakistan amid Islamabad blast; Questions over Pak vs SL series
The Sri Lankan cricket team's tour of Pakistan faces potential collapse after a suicide bomb blast in Islamabad killed 12 and injured 27. Eight players have requested to leave the tour,
Last Updated: 11.45 PM, Nov 12, 2025
The Sri Lankan cricket team's tour of Pakistan is on the brink of collapse following a deadly suicide bomb blast in Islamabad that has raised serious security concerns among the players. The attack, which killed 12 people and injured 27, took place just a few kilometres away from Rawalpindi, where the second One Day International (ODI) of the three-match series was scheduled.
8 Sri Lankan players want to leave Pakistan
Eight Sri Lankan cricketers have expressed their discomfort and fear about continuing the tour after the incident and have formally requested Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) to cancel the remaining fixtures and allow the team to return home immediately. This demand has cast significant doubt over the second ODI slated for Rawalpindi, with NDTV confirming the players’ wishes to leave Pakistan as soon as possible.
Despite the blast, the first ODI proceeded in Rawalpindi on Tuesday, with Pakistan narrowly securing a six-run victory.
However, the blast’s proximity to the playing venue reignited fears reminiscent of the 2009 terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore, an event that caused serious injuries to players and forced international cricket to stay away from Pakistan for nearly a decade.
Mohsin Naqvi is trying his best to keep the series going
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has been actively involved in managing this crisis.
Working closely with the Sri Lankan High Commission in Islamabad, Naqvi has tried to reassure the team about their safety, promising full security coverage and personally engaging with the players and management.
The blast has caused widespread shock and distress across the cricketing world, with many recalling the tragic 2009 Lahore attack that forever altered the course of cricket in Pakistan.
The remaining matches are scheduled to take place on Thursday and Saturday, also in Rawalpindi.
Sri Lanka looking to impose pressure on players
With Naqvi trying to manage the situation with the Sri Lankan High Commission in Islamabad, the Sri Lankan Cricket Board is willing to keep the series going. As per a few reports, they are even threatening the 8 cricketers, who want to leave Pakistan, with a 2-year ban.
Now, it would be interesting to see how Sri Lankan Cricket manage its players and how the Pakistan Cricket Board handles the situation. After this event, many countries will now refrain from visiting Pakistan for bilateral or even multinational events.