Sri Lanka to stay in Pakistan after bomb, games move to Rawalpindi

COLOMBO - Sri Lanka's cricket board said Thursday that its players will remain in Pakistan to complete a one-day international series and a subsequent T20 tri-series, with all games to be played in Rawalpindi.

At least eight players had asked to leave over security fears after Tuesday's suicide bombing in Islamabad that killed 12 people and wounded 27.

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) said the decision to stay for next week's tri-series, which also includes Zimbabwe, was taken after "close consultations" with hosts Pakistan who had given security assurances.

Sri Lanka Cricket had threatened disciplinary action against any players who tried to leave Pakistan.

"We lined up substitute players to be sent to continue with the tournament, but now that the squad has agreed to stay, we won't be sending anyone," an SLC official told AFP.

All tri-series fixtures will now be played in Rawalpindi, which neighbours Islamabad, but has heavy security. Originally four of the six round-robin matches and the final had been scheduled to take place in Lahore.

The ODI eries was already being played in Rawalpindi, with the second match put back by a day to Friday and the third, originally due on Saturday, moved to Sunday.

The T20 tri-series was scheduled to start on Monday but will also begin a day later with the final now also a day later on November 29.

"Grateful to the Sri Lankan team for their decision to continue the Pakistan tour," said Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi on social media.

"The spirit of sportsmanship and solidarity shines bright."

Six Sri Lankan players were wounded in March 2009 when gunmen opened fire on their team bus as it was taking them to Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore for a Test match.

The incident led to international teams staying away from Pakistan for nearly a decade.

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 nearby Islamabad.

The PCB said security around the visiting team had been tightened following the attack.

Naqvi met Sri Lankan players at theirIslamabad hotel on Wednesday and assured them of their safety, Sri Lankan officials said, adding that the number of guards for the squad has been doubled.

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