Mohsin Naqvi shows gratitude for Sri Lanka Cricket to continue their Pakistan tour

Despite safety concerns, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi thanked Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) for continuing their ongoing tour of Pakistan.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi recently expressed gratitude to Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) for deciding to continue their ongoing tour of Pakistan, despite growing safety concerns among several Sri Lankan players following Tuesday’s deadly suicide bombing in Islamabad.

Mohsin Naqvi thanks SLC for continuing their Pakistan tour.

Naqvi posted on X, “Grateful to the Sri Lankan team for their decision to continue the Pakistan tour. The ODI matches between Pakistan and Sri Lanka will be played on 14th and 16th November in Rawalpindi. The spirit of sportsmanship and solidarity shines bright.” The development followed the reports that several Sri Lankan players had expressed their desire to return home after the suicide attack in the Pakistani capital, which killed 12 people and injured 27 outside a court complex. The explosion happened just hours before the two teams played the first ODI in Rawalpindi, which Pakistan won by six runs. Mohsin Naqvi gave a statement shortly after the PCB announced revisions to the schedule of the ongoing ODI series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka, as well as the upcoming T20I Tri-Nation Tournament featuring Zimbabwe. The PCB said the changes were made “in consultation with SLC and Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) following mutual discussions to accommodate operational and match requirements.”

SLC issued a firm directive to all players and staff.

However, SLC issued a firm directive instructing all players, support staff, and team management to stay on and complete the tour. The board warned that any member who leaves against instructions will face a “formal review” of their actions, while replacements would be sent immediately to ensure the series continues without disruption. The statement read, “Sri Lanka Cricket was informed by the team management 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 PCB and the relevant authorities.”

Under the revised schedule, the remaining two ODIs will now be played on November 14 and 16 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, while the T20I Tri-Nation Tournament will also be held entirely in Rawalpindi from November 18 to 29.