Following a deadly suicide attack in Islamabad, the continuation of Sri Lanka’s cricket tour to Pakistan came under serious threat. In a dramatic turn of events, Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Asim Munir, intervened directly to ensure the tour would proceed. The information was confirmed yesterday by Pakistan’s Ministry of Home Affairs.
Mohsin Naqvi, Pakistan’s Interior Minister and Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, informed the Senate that the Sri Lankan players were deeply disturbed after the blast and were preparing to fly home immediately. At this critical stage, the Army Chief personally contacted Sri Lanka’s Defence Minister and top officials to provide assurances of complete security.
After receiving these guarantees, Sri Lanka Cricket decided to continue the tour. Naqvi said, “Our Field Marshal spoke to their defence authorities himself. He reassured them and confirmed that every possible security measure had been taken. The Sri Lankan players were understandably anxious, but they ultimately showed great courage by choosing to stay.”
Pakistan has now deployed a top-tier security operation. The Pakistan Army, Rangers, and Islamabad Police are working jointly, offering the same level of security typically reserved for visiting heads of state.
The suicide attack took place in Islamabad—the very city where the Sri Lankan players were staying. As a precaution, the remaining two ODIs of the series have been postponed by one day each. The second ODI is being held today in Rawalpindi.
After the ODI series, Pakistan is set to host a tri-nation T20 tournament featuring Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. The Zimbabwean team has already arrived in the country.
It is worth noting that Sri Lanka were the first international side to tour Pakistan again after the 2009 Lahore terrorist attack that halted top-level cricket in the nation for years. Their continued trust during difficult circumstances adds another meaningful chapter to the cricketing relationship between the two nations.