Islamabad5– The 2nd and 3rd ODIs between Pakistan and Sri Lanka has been rescheduled following a tragic suicide bombing in Islamabad earlier this week.
The incident, which shook the capital, prompted Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) to raise serious concerns about player safety.
Security Concerns Force Change
According to the News18 report, SLC officials expressed alarm after the attack, warning players of consequences if they refused to travel.
“We have made it clear to our players that participation is mandatory, and those unwilling to tour Pakistan will face disciplinary action,” an SLC representative was quoted as saying.
2nd ODI new date – Novemebr 14, – Friday
34rd ODI new date – November 16 – Sunday
Schedule Update🏏
The Sri Lanka Tour of Pakistan 2025 gets an update — check out the revised ODI and T20I fixtures 🇱🇰🇵🇰#SLvPAK #SLvZIM #SriLankaCricket pic.twitter.com/bXcE37BMFR— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) November 13, 2025
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), meanwhile, assured visiting teams of enhanced security measures. “We are working closely with law enforcement agencies to ensure the safety of all players and officials,” PCB officials.
Impact on the Series
The ODI series, originally scheduled to begin this week, has now been pushed back by several days. Matches will still be hosted in Pakistan, but venues and dates are being reviewed to minimize risks.
Sri Lanka’s players, many of whom were part of the 2009 Lahore attack that targeted their team bus, remain apprehensive. “The memories of that incident are still fresh, and we cannot ignore the risks,” one senior player reportedly told News18
The rescheduling highlights the ongoing challenges of hosting international cricket in Pakistan. While the country has successfully staged several tours in recent years, incidents like the Islamabad bombing reignite global concerns about security.
Cricket analysts note that the decision could affect Pakistan’s broader efforts to restore its reputation as a safe destination for international sport.
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