New Delhi: Eight Sri Lankan cricketers, who are in Pakistan for an ongoing ODI series, have expressed safety concerns after Islamabad was rocked by a deadly bomb explosion and have requested their board to cancel the tour, NDTV cited sources as saying.
The update comes on the eve of the second ODI of the three-match series, putting the next match in Rawalpindi in doubt.
The sources, as per report, further stated that replacements are being flown in by the Sri Lanka Cricket Board in a bid to continue the series. Earlier, Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by six runs in the opening ODI in Rawalpindi on Tuesday, a game that went ahead despite the suicide attack in the twin city of Islamabad.
The Pakistan Cricket Board said security around the visiting team had been increased following the attack.
The remaining matches are scheduled to take place on Thursday and Saturday, also in Rawalpindi.
Meanwhile, a PTI report said that the development means the second ODI will not happen. It added that the players expressed the desire to return home due to the proximity of Rawalpindi, where the ODIs are being played, to Islamabad.
Notably, a powerful explosion ripped through a judicial complex in Pakistan’s Islamabad on Tuesday, killing 12 and injuring 27, with the local media reporting it a suicide attack.
