PCB Chief Mohsin Naqvi 'Grateful' To Sri Lankan Team Over Their Decision To Continue Pakistan Tour Following Islamabad Car Blast

Pakistan vs Sri Lanka ODI Series Schedule: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi was quick to thank and express his gratitude towards the Sri Lankan cricket team players and their board for continuing the ongoing tour despite the panic that erupted following the recent bombing outside the Islamabad court.

While a few players reportedly wanted to pull out of the ODI series amid safety concerns, the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) stepped up and clarified that the tour will continue as planned and if any of the players leave, they will face action. The first match of the ODI series was played on Tuesday and was won by Pakistan by 6 runs. Notably, all the games of the series are scheduled to be played in Rawalpindi.

The Sri Lankan board also said that in case any of the selected player leaves, it will send replacements to ensure the tour continues without interruption. Naqvi, who is also the Interior Minister of Pakistan, welcomed the decision.

ALSO READ: Shardul Thakur Joins Mumbai Indians Ahead Of IPL 206 Auction

"Grateful to the Sri Lankan team for their decision to continue the Pakistan tour," Naqvi posted on X.

However, the recent events ended up affecting the schedule of the matches as the second ODI was postponed and will now be played on Friday, November 14. "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," he added.

The upcoming Tri-Nation series, which involves the participation of Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe apart from Pakistan, has also been rescheduled. "The decision to revise the schedule was made in consultation with Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) and Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC), following mutual discussions to accommodate operational and match requirements," PCB said on Thursday.

ALSO READ: Shubman Gill Hints At End Of Mohammed Shami's India Career Ahead Of SA Series

Notably, the Sri Lankan cricket team bus had suffered a terrorist attack in 2009 in Lahore. Since that attack till 2019, no international team visited Pakistan. Sri Lanka broke the deadlock in 2019 before Pakistan started hosting international cricket regularly.

Naqvi, who has been at the centre of criticism for the past few months over his refusal to return the Asia Cup 2025 to the winning team, India, recently made another interesting remark as he claimed that the recent Islamabad attack was an operation executed by Afghanistan amid the ongoing border tensions between both the two countries. We are investigating this incident from different angles. It is not just another bombing. It happened right in Islamabad. Whoever is involved, local people or from other countries, they wouldn't be spared."