Sri Lanka Cricketers Get 'State Guest' Status In Pakistan Following Deadly Islamabad Attack
Pakistan treats the Sri Lanka cricket team as 'state guests' after the Islamabad attack, assuring enhanced security during the ODI series.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and government officials have elevated security protocols for the visiting Sri Lankan cricket team, designating players and staff as "state guests" amid escalating concerns following a suicide bombing in nearby Islamabad that killed at least 12 people and injured 27 others. The blast, which occurred on November 11, 2025, outside a district court during peak hours, was attributed to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) by authorities, sending shockwaves through the twin city of Rawalpindi—site of the ongoing three-match ODI series opener, which proceeded as planned with Pakistan securing a narrow six-run victory. At least eight Sri Lankan squad members expressed desires to return home, citing the proximity of venues to volatile areas, but Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has mandated continuation of the tour, threatening formal reviews and potential disciplinary actions for early departures while pledging replacements to maintain the schedule.
In a high-level meeting on November 12 in Islamabad, Sri Lankan High Commissioner Admiral (retired) Fred Seneviratne convened with PCB Chairman and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, alongside top police officials, to address the crisis. Naqvi personally assured the delegation of "foolproof security", emphasising the deployment of Pakistan Army personnel and paramilitary Rangers to monitor all movements of the 16-player contingent and support staff. "The visiting team players and officials are state guests in Pakistan," Naqvi reiterated, a status that grants enhanced protection akin to diplomatic protocols. The High Commissioner, post-briefing, voiced satisfaction with the arrangements, which include round-the-clock escorts and restricted access zones around team hotels and Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. This response echoes lessons from past lapses, underscoring Pakistan's determination to host international cricket without interruption despite persistent insurgency threats.
To mitigate immediate risks, the PCB rejigged the itinerary: the second ODI, originally slated for November 13, shifts to November 14, and the third from November 15 to 16, both at Rawalpindi—tickets from the prior dates remain valid. Naqvi expressed gratitude on social media for SLC's resolve, posting, "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 measures extend to the ensuing T20I triangular series involving Zimbabwe from November 17 to 29, where similar safeguards will apply. SLC's statement affirmed close collaboration with the PCB and authorities to prioritise safety, noting that while concerns are valid given Rawalpindi's adjacency to the blast site, operational continuity honours bilateral commitments.
Also Read: Rohit Sharma Yet to Communicate Availability for Vijay Hazare Trophy: Mumbai Cricket Board
The episode revives haunting memories for Sri Lankan cricket, particularly the 2009 Lahore ambush when gunmen attacked the team bus en route to Gaddafi Stadium, wounding seven players—including Mahela Jayawardene and Ajantha Mendis—and killing eight Pakistani personnel, effectively shuttering international fixtures in the country for a decade until Sri Lanka's pioneering 2019 tour. A similar scare unfolded in 2022 when New Zealand abruptly withdrew from a Rawalpindi series, citing credible intelligence of an imminent threat, forcing neutral-venue hybrids. These precedents amplify the current stakes, as Pakistan—grappling with over 600 militant incidents in 2025 alone—seeks to rebuild its global cricketing stature. Federal Information Minister Ata Tarar highlighted swift interventions, like the foiled assault on Wana Cadet College that safely evacuated 300 students, averting a repeat of the 2014 Peshawar school massacre that claimed 149 lives.
As the series resumes under fortified vigilance, the collaboration between SLC and PCB symbolises cricket's role in fostering diplomacy amid adversity, potentially setting a precedent for future tours in high-risk zones. With Salman Agha's unbeaten 105 and Haris Rauf's 4/61 propelling Pakistan to a 1-0 lead, the focus shifts to on-field rivalry while off-field guardians ensure no shadows from Islamabad's tragedy eclipse the game's spirit. Should the tour conclude seamlessly, it could bolster confidence for broader international returns, affirming that resilience, not retreat, defines the sport's enduring appeal in turbulent times.
Also Read: Pakistan Cricket Board Revises Sri Lanka ODI Schedule After Security Scare in Islamabad
