A pall of fear has descended upon the Sri Lankan cricket team currently touring Pakistan, as the squad grapples with the unsettling echoes of the 2009 terrorist attack that traumatized the nation. Despite a recent suicide bombing in Islamabad, which killed 12 and injured 27, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has directed the team to remain in Pakistan, a decision that has sparked significant anxiety and raised serious questions about player safety.
The directive from SLC came after several team members expressed their desire to return home, citing security concerns in the wake of the Islamabad attack. The close proximity of Rawalpindi, where the One Day International (ODI) series is being played, to Islamabad, the site of the bombing, has heightened these anxieties.
In a statement, SLC acknowledged the players' concerns but insisted that all necessary measures were being taken to ensure their safety and well-being, in close coordination with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and relevant authorities. The board has instructed all players, support staff, and team management to continue with the tour as scheduled.
However, SLC also issued a stern warning: any player or staff member who chooses to return home against the board's directive would face a "formal review". The board has stated it will immediately send replacements to ensure the tour continues without interruption. This firm stance has been interpreted by some as a veiled threat, adding to the players' unease.
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as Interior Minister, has met with the Sri Lankan High Commissioner and the cricket team, assuring them of the enhanced security measures in place. Naqvi emphasized that the visiting team is being treated as state guests and provided with comprehensive security, including presidential-style protection. He also reviewed security arrangements at the Pindi Cricket Stadium.
Despite these assurances, the memories of the 2009 attack remain vivid. On March 3, 2009, the Sri Lankan team bus was attacked by gunmen in Lahore, en route to Gaddafi Stadium for a Test match. Six players were wounded, and the incident led to a near-decade-long absence of international cricket in Pakistan.
The current tour includes a three-match ODI series followed by a T20 tri-series involving Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Zimbabwe. Following the Islamabad bombing, the PCB has rescheduled the remaining ODIs, shifting the second and third matches to Friday and Sunday, respectively, both to be held in Rawalpindi. The entire T20I Tri-Nation Tournament has also been moved to Rawalpindi, starting from November 18, with the final on November 29.
The suicide bombing in Islamabad, claimed by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), adds another layer of complexity to the security concerns. The TTP, which has carried out numerous attacks in Pakistan this year, has stated that the bombing targeted judges, lawyers, and officials operating under Pakistan's "un-Islamic laws". This attack, along with the increasing violence involving the TTP, has created the worst security crisis in Pakistan in over a decade. The U.S. Embassy in Islamabad has issued a security alert, advising caution and restricting movement in certain areas of the city.
The Sri Lankan team's predicament highlights the ongoing challenges Pakistan faces in ensuring the safety and security of international sporting events. The decision by SLC to prioritize the tour's continuation over the players' anxieties has sparked debate, raising ethical questions about the balance between sporting commitments and the well-being of athletes.
