Sri Lanka Cricketers Quit Pakistan Series Amid Security Fears After Islamabad Bombing

The Sri Lankan Cricket Team pulls out of their tour of Pakistan after the bomb blast in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad. Sri Lanka was touring for a three-match ODI series and a tri-nation T20I series involving Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Zimbabwe.  Following the incident, the Sri Lankan Cricket Board decided to quit the ongoing Pakistan series due to safety reasons.

On Tuesday, November 11, 2025, a suicide bombing in Islamabad killed at least 12 people and injured many others. The Blast occurred only about 17 km from the stadium where Pakistan and Sri Lanka played the 1st ODI match on Monday. Despite the terror incident, the match was still played in Rawalpindi and Pakistan won by 6 runs.

However, the Sri Lankan Team was shaken up by this incident. This would have revived the memories of the 2009 terror attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore, which led to Pakistan being sidelined from hosting international cricket matches for nearly a decade.

According to reports, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi personally met the Sri Lankan players and team management after the Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 1st ODI and gave full assurance of security to all players for the entire tour.

https://x.com/SriLankaTweet/status/1988668657820660125

Players’ Response and Decision to Quit Tour:

This incident shocked everyone and caused fear within the Sri Lankan cricket squad, who are currently in Pakistan. Several Sri Lankan Players informed the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) board about their decision not to continue the tour. As per the reports, Many of the players came in support and demanded to return home immediately.

​16 Sri Lankan players touring Pakistan have decided to return home after the suicide bomb blast incident in Islamabad. Due to this, the Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 2nd ODI match will not be played, and Sri Lanka Cricket plans to send a replacement squad to continue the Pakistan tour.

​Impact on the Tri-Nation Series:

​Due to this incident, the second ODI match has already called-off, and reports suggest that if any further incident takes place in Pakistan, then the Tri-Nation series may be put on halt and rescheduled later. However, the chances are high that the series will be played and all three teams will be participating.

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