Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi told the Senate on Thursday that Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir personally intervened to facilitate talks with Sri Lanka, convincing the island nation’s cricket team to continue their tour of Pakistan despite Tuesday’s deadly suicide bombing in Islamabad.
Naqvi, who also serves as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman, said:
“Our field marshal himself spoke to their defence minister and secretary, assuring them of full security. The Sri Lankan team had initially decided to return after the blast, but after discussions, they bravely chose to stay.”
The minister added that Pakistan Army, Rangers, and Islamabad Police were jointly managing the Sri Lankan team’s security, ensuring state guest-level protection.
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) confirmed late Wednesday that the tour would proceed, dispelling reports that several players had opted to return home.
“Following the incident, SLC engaged with the players and assured them that their concerns were being addressed in coordination with the PCB and security authorities,” the board said in a statement.
The SLC added that if any player or official decided to return, replacements would be sent immediately to ensure the continuation of the matches.
In light of the developments, the PCB has rescheduled the remaining two ODIs for November 14 and 16 — both postponed by a day. The T20I tri-nation series featuring Zimbabwe has also been shifted from Lahore to Rawalpindi, running from November 18 to 29.
Naqvi further said that Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake personally spoke with the team to reassure them of Pakistan’s commitment to their safety.
The Islamabad blast, which killed 12 people and injured 36, occurred just hours before the first ODI between Pakistan and Sri Lanka was set to begin in Rawalpindi.
A day after the explosion, Naqvi, along with Islamabad’s chief commissioner and police chief, met with Sri Lankan High Commissioner (Rtd.) Rear Admiral Fred Seneviratne, who expressed satisfaction with the security arrangements.
