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A deadly blast in Islamabad killed 12, forcing the cancellation of the Pakistan-Sri Lanka second ODI in Rawalpindi. Eight Sri Lankan players returned home, recalling the 2009 Lahore attack. The upcoming tri-series with Zimbabwe now faces cancellation concerns.
Islamabad blast rocks Pakistan; Sri Lanka-Pakistan ODI cancelled
New Delhi: The ongoing three-match ODI series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka has been severely impacted by the bomb blast in Islamabad.
The terrorist attack in the capital killed 12 people and injured many others. Immediately following the incident, Thursday's second ODI in Rawalpindi was cancelled due to security concerns. The Sri Lankan team is now in deep panic, and several players have expressed concerns about their safety.
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According to Sri Lanka Cricket Board (SLC) sources, eight Sri Lankan players expressed security concerns and decided to return home. The players said that playing there could be risky due to the short distance between Rawalpindi and Islamabad.
The Sri Lanka Cricket Board has planned to send new players to Pakistan to replace these players for the remaining matches of the series.
This latest incident has brought back memories of the tragic 2009 terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore. Several players, including captain Mahela Jayawardene, Ajantha Mendis, and Chaminda Vaas, were injured in the attack outside the Gaddafi Stadium, while several Pakistani security personnel were killed.
Following that attack, international cricket completely distanced itself from Pakistan. For almost 10 years, no foreign team toured Pakistan, and Pakistan had to play its home matches in the UAE.
In 2019, Sri Lanka became the first team to tour Pakistan after a decade, playing a key role in bringing international cricket back there. Pakistan's international cricket is once again in jeopardy
The Islamabad bombing has once again raised serious questions about Pakistan's security situation. Following the ongoing series between Sri Lanka and Pakistan, a triangular T20 series was also scheduled to be played, with Zimbabwe as the third team. But now, after this blast, the possibility of the T20 series being cancelled has increased.
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The International Cricket Council (ICC) and various cricket boards are closely monitoring the security situation. If the situation is not controlled, international cricket in Pakistan may once again be suspended.
This blast in Islamabad is not just a terrorist incident but also a major blow to the future of international cricket in Pakistan. Sri Lanka, which had previously revived cricket there, is now feeling threatened again. The question is: will Pakistan once again return to a cricket boycott?
The situation will become clearer in the coming days.
