Islamabad- After the Islamabad blast, there is an atmosphere of fear in the Sri Lankan cricket team. There are reports of 12 people being killed and more than 20 injured in the Islamabad blast. Due to this, many Sri Lankan cricketers have refused to play the remaining matches of the ODI series. Although the Sri Lankan Cricket Board has assured its players of their safety, it has warned of a ban on leaving during the series.
This is not the first time that Sri Lankan cricketers have experienced fear after traveling to Pakistan. About 16 years ago, a terrorist attack shook the cricket world.
This incident happened in 2009, when the Sri Lankan team went to Pakistan for three ODIs and two Test matches. The second Test between Sri Lanka and Pakistan was being played in Lahore, which was scheduled to run from March 1 to 5. On the morning of March 3, the Sri Lankan cricket team boarded a bus and left for the Gaddafi Stadium. However, 12 armed terrorists were waiting for the team bus near Liberty Square.
Seven players, including then Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene and vice-captain Kumar Sangakkara, were injured in the attack. These seven players were Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara, Ajantha Mendis, Thilan Samaraweera, Tharanga Paranavitana, Chaminda Vaas and Suranga Lakmal. Of these, Samaraweera and Paranavitana were seriously injured and were hospitalized for some time. The other cricketers suffered minor injuries.