Security of Sri Lankan team increasedImage Credit source: PTI
The Sri Lankan cricket team, forced to play in an environment of terrorist attacks and fear, has been given tight security by the Pakistan government. After the blast in Islamabad, Sri Lankan players had decided to leave the series midway but Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) forced them to complete the series by threatening their own players. In such a situation, the Pakistan government gave security to the entire Sri Lankan team like a state guest, in which the Sri Lankan team reached the stadium amidst more than a dozen police vehicles.
ODI series is being played between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi. On the day of the first ODI match of this series, there was a car explosion outside a court in the capital Islamabad, in which 19 people died. Immediately after this incident, about a dozen players and support staff members of the Sri Lankan team had announced to return to their country. At such a time, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi tried hard to convince the players.
However, the Sri Lankan players had to change their decision when their own board SLC directly threatened the players that action would be taken against the players who left the tour. After this, the Pakistan Board and Government had announced to increase the security of the players. A glimpse of increased security was also visible after this. In a video viral on social media, it is seen that the Sri Lankan team has left for its hotel after practicing at the stadium and during this time it is accompanied by more than a dozen police vehicles.
In each black pickup truck, two batsmen were sitting behind with rifles. As soon as the team bus came out of the stadium, two pickup trucks passed ahead and behind them six buses passed one after the other, carrying Sri Lankan team players and other officials. During this time, there was a police pickup truck behind every bus. During this time the road from the stadium to Hotelak was completely empty.
However, the Pakistani board also had to change the schedule of the series. The remaining two matches of the series, scheduled to be held on 13 and 15 November, were postponed by one day to 14 and 16 November. However, no change was made in the venue and the matches are to be played in Rawalpindi only.