8 Sri Lanka players to return home midway through Pakistan series after Islamabad bomb blast, demand tour cancellation

Rocked by Islamabad deadly bomb blast, eight Sri Lankan have withdrawn from the ongoing series against Pakistan. As per a report by NDTV, the Sri Lankan cricketers who are currently in Pakistan for an ongoing ODI series have expressed serious safety concerns and requested their board to cancel the tour.

Sri Lankan cricketers wants Pakistan tour to be cancelled after Islamabad blast

This major development follows a deadly bomb explosion that rocked Islamabad, the twin city of Rawalpindi, putting the remainder of the series in immediate doubt. The request comes on the eve of the second ODI of the three-match series, which is scheduled to take place in Rawalpindi. Sources indicate that the Sri Lanka Cricket Board is already flying in replacements for the concerned players. Notably, the opening ODI, which Pakistan won by six runs on Tuesday, went ahead despite the suicide attack occurring nearby.

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Deadly Islamabad suicide attack

The security concerns stem from a powerful suicide bombing that occurred at a judicial complex in Islamabad on Tuesday. The explosion, which local media reported to be a suicide attack, tragically resulted in 12 fatalities and left 27 people injured. Pakistan's Interior Minister, Mohsin Naqvi, provided details of the attack, stating that the bomber detonated the device at 12:39 PM local time. The assailant reportedly attempted to enter the court building on foot but, after waiting for 10 to 15 minutes, detonated the device outside, in close proximity to a police vehicle.

Despite the alarming incident, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed that security surrounding the visiting Sri Lankan team had been immediately increased following the attack. The remaining matches of the ODI series are currently scheduled to be held on November 12 and 14, both at the venue in Rawalpindi. However, the request from multiple players for tour cancellation casts a significant shadow over whether the remaining two fixtures will proceed as planned.