Sri Lanka Cricket Hit by Pakistan Terror Attack Scare; Captain and 2 Players Fly Home

Nov 18, 2025: Sri Lankan cricketers raised safety concerns during their tour of Pakistan, but the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) ignored their request to leave and decided to continue the series.

Midway through the tour, Sri Lankan captain Charith Asalanka and fast bowler Asitha Fernando left Pakistan, citing illness. The exact nature of their illness has not been disclosed.

The decision comes after a massive car bomb exploded outside a court in Islamabad on Tuesday afternoon, killing at least 12 people. Following the attack, eight Sri Lankan players requested to return home over fears for their safety. Despite these concerns, the Sri Lankan Cricket Board (SLC) maintained that the series would go on. Officials added that the players were reassured after discussions with the PCB.

While practicing in Rawalpindi, Sri Lankan captain Charith Asalanka was greeted on the field by Pakistan Board chief and Minister Mohsin Naqvi. He shook hands with every Sri Lankan player and support staff and hugged everyone. Naqvi also thanked the people of Sri Lanka with folded hands. The video of this meeting went viral.

Many cricket teams, including India, have expressed concerns about playing in Pakistan. If the Sri Lankan team had returned home in this situation, it could have been seen as a disrespect to Pakistan. So Naqvi thanked the team for saving the country’s honor.

Despite these efforts, the Sri Lankan Cricket Board has announced that captain Asalanka and pacer Asitha Fernando are returning home due to illness. They will not play in the upcoming tri-nation series. The board said the two players will be rested for now, but it has not revealed what illness they have.