Sri Lanka's Maheesh Theekshana (L) reacts at at the end of the first one-day international (ODI) cricket match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi on November 11, 2025. (Photo by Aamir QURESHI / AFP)
Colombo: Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) on Wednesday 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 in the Pakistani capital, 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.
"Grateful to the Sri Lankan team for their decision to continue the Pakistan tour," PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi said on social media. "The spirit of sportsmanship and solidarity shines bright."
