Colombo- Cricket sources indicate that some players in the Sri Lankan squad currently touring Pakistan have requested to return home following the suicide bomb attack that occurred yesterday (Tuesday) in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad.
The primary reason for this demand is the short distance—less than 20 kilometers—between the capital, Islamabad, where the bomb exploded, and the city of Rawalpindi, where the match was played yesterday.
When questioned regarding this development, a senior official at Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) stated that any player who returns home prematurely will face a two-year cricket ban. The official stressed that strong disciplinary action will be taken against those who withdraw from the tour.
In response, the official added that immediate steps are being taken to dispatch a replacement squad of players to Pakistan without delay.
This incident resurrects painful memories of the past. The Sri Lanka cricket team was previously subjected to a terrorist attack in Lahore, Pakistan, in 2009. Following that devastating incident, international cricket matches were not held in Pakistan for several years. The current tour marks a significant step towards the full resumption of international cricket in the country, but the latest security incident threatens to derail that progress.
The SLC and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) are yet to issue a formal joint statement addressing the security concerns and the players' demands. (NewsCenter)
