Pakistan Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir held discussions with Sri Lankan authorities, and as a result, the Sri Lankan cricket team in Pakistan has decided to remain in Pakistan for the ongoing matches, Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi told the country’s parliament yesterday.
It was reported that some of the Sri Lankan team players were preparing to return home after the suicide bombing near a court in Islamabad on Tuesday, and then Sri Lankan cricket authorities held discussions with their team. Taking into account the agreement reached there, the Sri Lanka Cricket Board announced last night that it had decided to proceed with its team’s tour of Pakistan.
Commenting on the crisis, Minister Mohsin Naqvi told the Senate of the country’s parliament that the Army Commander had spoken to the Sri Lankan Defense Minister and Defense Secretary and assured them of security.
He said that although the Sri Lankan team decided to return after the bomb blast in Islamabad, the situation has now stabilized.
“They had many problems, but we tried to resolve them all. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has discussed with his country’s cricket team and explained the issues regarding their security,” Minister Naqvi further said, according to local media reports.
He also said that the Pakistan Army, in collaboration with the Islamabad Police, will provide security to the Sri Lankan team and treat them as government guests.