Uncertainty Over the ODI Series Continuation
With this, the future of the ODI series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka has become uncertain. The eight Sri Lankan players now touring Pakistan are scheduled to return home on Thursday. This follows a bomb blast in Islamabad that killed 12 people, according to Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) officials.
Second ODI in Doubt
The second ODI, scheduled in Rawalpindi on Thursday, may thus not happen. Pakistan beat Australia in the series-opening match, which was also staged in Rawalpindi. The third ODI was also set to be played at the same venue.
Upcoming Triangular Series Under Clouds
After the ODI series, Sri Lanka was due to play a triangular tournament in Pakistan involving Zimbabwe as the third team. However, these plans are now uncertain with safety concerns.
Security Concerns around Islamabad
An SLC official said the proximity of Rawalpindi to Islamabad raises security concerns for Sri Lanka players and could lead to the series not being played at all.
Historical Context: The 2009 Attack
In 2009, terrorists attacked the bus carrying the Sri Lanka team to the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Ajantha Mendis, Chaminda Vaas, and Mahela Jayawardene were among the injured players, but many of the security officers lost their lives during the attack. Since then, international teams have avoided touring Pakistan for almost a decade.
Return of International Cricket to Pakistan
International teams went back to Pakistan in December 2019, starting with Sri Lanka’s visit to the country. It was quite a significant step to restore the reputation of Pakistan as a host nation for international cricket.
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