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Sri Lankan players stay back in Pakistan after government security assurance
The Island
|November 14, 2025
Sri Lanka's cricketers have opted to stay put in Pakistan after receiving ironclad security assurances from Islamabad, ending a tense 24 hours in which the tour looked to be in danger.
Wednesday's suicide attack in the capital — barely 25 kilometres from the team hotel and claiming 12 lives — had set alarm bells ringing in the Sri Lankan camp. Several senior players, including skipper Charith Asalanka, were understood to be ready to pad up and fly home, fearing the writing was on the wall for the tour.
But PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi stepped in with fresh guarantees and Colombo followed up with a strong request to honour the fixtures. After overnight talks, the dressing room made a dramatic U-turn. Mostly senior players of the side were keen to fly back home but after all the assurances, they were left with Hobson's choice.
This story is from the November 14, 2025 edition of The Island.
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