The schedule for Sri Lanka's tour of Pakistan has been amended following security concerns.
On November 11, Islamabad, the Pakistani capital, was rocked by a suicide bomber outside a court. Initial reports estimated that 27 people were wounded while another 12 lost their lives. Pakistan defence minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif was quoted as saying the country is now "in a state of war".
On the same day, the Sri Lankan cricket team, currently in Pakistan for a three-match ODI series, was escorted by security to the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, not far from the blast site, to take part in the first game. Pakistan emerged victorious in that match, by six runs.
However, according to Newswire the following day (November 12), Sri Lankan players began to have concerns over security in the area, and reportedly did not wish to continue the tour.
In March 2009, it was a terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore which led to no other international team touring Pakistan for the next ten years.
Pakistan-Sri Lanka ODIs, T20I tri-series set to continue
Late on Wednesday (November 12), the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) issued a revision to the schedule of the ODI series, headlined by a statement in capital letters saying, "CRICKET WINS".
The remaining two ODIs, which were scheduled for November 13 and November 15 in Rawalpindi, will instead by played on November 14 and November 16 at the same venue.
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A subsequent release detailed changes to the tri-nation T20I series between Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. Initially slated to run from November 17-29 in Rawalpindi and then Lahore, the series will now run from November 18-29, and will be played entirely in Rawalpindi.
"The decision to revise the schedule was made in consultation with Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) and Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC), following mutual discussions to accommodate operational and match requirements," the PCB wrote.
Sri Lanka threatens players with 'formal review' in case of withdrawal
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) issued their own statement on the series in the early hours of Thursday (November 13), confirming that several members of the touring party did in fact request to return home.
"Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) was informed by the team management this morning that several members of the national team currently touring Pakistan have requested to return home, citing safety concerns.
"Following this development, SLC immediately engaged with the players and assured them that all such concerns are being duly addressed in close coordination with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the relevant authorities to ensure the safety and well-being of every member of the touring party.
"In this context, SLC has instructed all players, support staff, and team management to continue with the tour as scheduled. However, should any player or member of the touring party decide to return to Sri Lanka despite the directive issued by SLC to continue with the tour, Sri Lanka Cricket will immediately send replacements to ensure that the tour continues without interruption.
"If any player, players, or member of the support staff return despite SLC’s directives, a formal review will be conducted to assess their actions, and an appropriate decision will be made upon the conclusion of the review."
Despite the provision for replacement players, the mention of a "formal review to asses their actions" in the final section of the release has understandably caused concerns over whether Sri Lanka's players, coaches and other members of the team management are being given a genuine say in the matter of whether to continue the tour or not.
So far, no member of the team has pulled out, but there is a still a day before the second ODI gets underway.
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