Sri Lanka team continues Pakistan tour following minister’s assurance

ISLAMABAD: The Sri Lankan cricket team has requested to return home after leaving the tour of Pakistan incomplete; However, after the assurance of Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, the team decided to continue the series.

According to details, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met the Sri Lankan High Commissioner and the team manager, in which the Sri Lankan players were guaranteed foolproof security. Mohsin Naqvi said that the security of foreign teams in Pakistan is the top priority of the government. According to sources, the Sri Lankan Cricket Board has directed its players to complete the tour of Pakistan; otherwise, a two-year ban will be imposed on the players who return home.
The second match of the three-match ODI series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka will be played in Rawalpindi tomorrow. After this, a Tri-Nation series is also scheduled between Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Zimbabwe.

اسلام آباد۔وفاقی وزیر داخلہ و چیئرمین پی سی بی محسن نقوی سے سری لنکا کے ہائی کمشنر رئیر ایڈمرل( ر) فریڈ سری ویراتنے کی ملاقات

سری لنکا اور پاکستان کرکٹ ٹیمز کے مینجرز، سی او او پی سی بی سمیر احمد، چیف کمشنر اسلام آباد ۔ آئی جی اسلام آباد پولیس بھی اس موقع پر موجود تھے

ملاقات… pic.twitter.com/3gCKv4ETVW

— PCB Media (@TheRealPCBMedia) November 12, 2025

Earlier this month, the federal Minister for Interior and Chairman of the PCB, Mohsin Naqvi, met with Sri Lankan High Commissioner Rear Admiral (R) Fred Sriveeratne.

Present at the meeting were the Sri Lankan and Pakistan Cricket Team Managers, COO of the PCB Sameer Ahmed, the Chief Commissioner of Islamabad, and the Inspector General of Islamabad Police.

The Chief Commissioner and the IG Islamabad Police provided a detailed briefing on the security arrangements made for the Sri Lankan team during the meeting.

The Sri Lankan High Commissioner expressed deep sorrow over the loss of precious lives in a recent terrorist attack in Islamabad. He conveyed his heartfelt sympathy to the affected families and expressed solidarity with the Government of Pakistan.

He emphasised that the Sri Lankan cricket team players are considered state guests. The government has ensured all necessary measures for the foolproof security of the team, with providing a safe environment for the guest players as the top priority. The High Commissioner also expressed satisfaction with the security arrangements made for the team.

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