Sri Lanka cricketers leave Pakistan after bomb blast

Eight Sri Lankan cricketers will return home from Pakistan. Photo / Getty Images

Eight Sri Lankan cricketers will return home without playing in their tri-nation white-ball series against Pakistan and Zimbabwe because of security concerns, a Sri Lankan official said today.

The players have expressed fears for their safety following Tuesday’s suicide bombing in the Pakistani capital, which killed 12 and wounded 27 outside a court.

“The second ODI against Pakistan tomorrow is in doubt, but substitute players will be sent to continue the tri-nation series,” a Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) source said.

Sri Lanka Cricket, in a statement, confirmed that it had instructed the team to go ahead with the tournament 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.

Six Sri Lankan players were wounded in March 2009 when gunmen opened fire on their team bus as it was taking them to Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore for a test match.

The incident led to international teams staying away from Pakistan for nearly a decade.

Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by six runs in the opening one-day international in Rawalpindi on Tuesday, a game that went ahead despite the suicide attack in the twin city of Islamabad.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said security around the visiting team had been tightened following the attack.

PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi met Sri Lankan players at their Islamabad hotel late Wednesday and assured them of their safety, Pakistani officials said.

The remaining ODI matches are scheduled for Thursday and Saturday, also in Rawalpindi. The T20 tournament is scheduled to follow from November 17 to the 29th.