Sign In
By signing in or creating an account, you agree with Associated Broadcasting Company's Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
By signing in or creating an account, you agree with Associated Broadcasting Company's Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
New Delhi: Security has been tightened for the visiting Sri Lankan cricket team after the recent militant attack in Islamabad, Pakistan. On a white-ball tour of Pakistan for a three-match ODI series, Sri Lanka have already played one match, which they lost by a narrow margin of six runs on Tuesday at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
According to sources, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who also holds the political post of Federal Minister for Interior, held a meeting with officials of the Sri Lankan team and assured them of foolproof security.
Pakistan has indirectly accused Afghanistan's Taliban government of allowing its land to be used by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) to carry out terror attacks in Pakistan.
Tensions have been at an all-time high between Pakistan and Afghanistan after peace talks failed in Doha. The meeting was held after Pakistan's military actions in areas inside Afghanistan, which comprise TTP camps.
Pakistan's capital, Islamabad, was rocked on Tuesday after a suicide bomber detonated himself outside a judicial complex. The blast took the lives of 12 people and injured several others. Meanwhile, in Northern Pakistan's Wana area, security forces foiled a terror attack on the Wana Cadet College and safely evacuated 300 students.
Three years ago, New Zealand cancelled a white ball series in Rawalpindi and flew back home without participating in a match after receiving credible intelligence information about a possible terror attack targeting the visitors.
"That is why Mohsin Naqvi personally went to the stadium and met with the visiting team members and assured them they would be safe and secure," the source said.
In 2009, a terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team bus close to Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium resulted in the stoppage of international cricket in Pakistan for nearly 10 years. No foreign team visited the country due to security concerns for more than a decade.
"Security has been beefed up with Pakistan Army and the paramilitary rangers now deputed to monitor security for the visiting players and officials," the source said.
After playing three ODIs in Rawalpindi, Sri Lanka will feature in a T20 triangular series also involving Zimbabwe from November 17 to 29.
(With PTI Inputs)
