• Source:JND
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Pakistan vs Sri Lanka ODI Series Rescheduled: The ongoing ODI series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka has witnessed a change in the schedule in the wake of a suicide attack in Islamabad, where the visiting team is staying. The first ODI has already been played, which was won by Pakistan by 6 runs in Rawalpindi on Tuesday.

Several players of the visiting team requested to return home, citing safety concerns, following which the cricket boards of the two teams sprang into action, with Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) instructing the squad members to stay put.

Pakistan vs Sri Lanka ODI Series Rescheduled

The second match of the ODI series was scheduled to be played on Thursday, November 13. However, as per the changes, the match has been postponed by a day and will now be played on Friday, while the third ODI, slated for November 15, will now be played on November 16.

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Amid the anxiety within the players regarding the safety concerns, Sri Lankan players told the members of the squads to stay put, and those who defy their directives will undergo a formal review. "Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) was informed by the team management this morning that several members of the national team currently touring Pakistan have requested to return home, citing safety concerns.

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"Following this development, the SLC immediately engaged with the players and assured them that all such concerns are being duly addressed in close consultation with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the relevant authorities to ensure the safety and well-being of every member of the touring party," the statement said.

"If any player, players, or member of the support staff return despite SLC’s directives, a formal review will be conducted to assess their actions, and an appropriate decision will be made upon the conclusion of the review," it added.

Notably, the Sri Lankan team is also scheduled to play a triangular series, involving the hosts Pakistan and Zimbabwe, after the three ODIs, but the series now looks in serious trouble.

Earlier, several reports claimed that the SLC was preparing to send the replacements after eight players stepped up to pull out of the series midway due to safety issues.

The recent developments also revived the bitter memories of the 2009 Lahore terror attack, when the touring Sri Lankan team witnessed an unfortunate episode. Their team bus was ambushed en route to the Gaddafi Stadium, leaving several players like Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara, Ajantha Mendis, Thilan Samaraweera, and Tharanga Paravitarana injured.

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