Islamabad blast; another violent act mars Pakistan’s sports reputation:Life-threatening attacks that cricketers faced in India’s neighbouring nation

Today, while the Pakistan vs Sri Lanka ODI match was going on at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, a blast took place just about 17 kilometres from the match venue, outside the District and Sessions court in Islamabad. Usually, sports as a whole unite the whole world, and in the case of cricket, with such a vast fanbase, the expectations rise. However, violence and terrorism have often tarnished the spirit of this game. Whether it be the targeted attacks on the cricket players or the stench of cross-border strikes resulting in the death of cricketers, shaking the whole cricketing community. The explosion in Islamabad has taken place at a time when major events were underway in and near the capital, including the PAK-SL ODI game in the twin city of Rawalpindi. However, this is not the first time that the cricketing fraternity has faced life-threatening situations around them in Pakistan. Let’s take a look at all of them: Lahore (2009): Attack on the Sri Lankan team During the second Test in Lahore, masked terrorists targeted the Sri Lankan team bus while they were en route to the Gaddafi Stadium. The SL squad, including then skipper Mahela Jayawardene and vice-captain Kumar Sangakkara, along with Ajantha Mendis, Thilan Samaraweera, and Tharanga Paravitarana, sustained minor injuries. Notably, six security personnel and two civilians lost their lives due to the brutal attack. The Test was immediately called off, and the tour was cancelled. Notably, it was the first time sportsmen were specifically targeted since the 1972 Munich Olympics. 2002: New Zealand abandons Pakistan tour after bomb blast A suicide bomb outside the Pearl Continental Hotel in Karachi compelled New Zealand to abandon its Pakistan tour. Though the players went unharmed, physio Dayle Shackel received minor injuries. ICC referee Mike Procter said, “Due to the security situation, the tour has been called off after mutual consultation between the PCB, NZC and the Black Caps team manager Jeff Crowe.” Meanwhile, PCB Director Brig Munawar Rana had said, “This indeed is unfortunate for our country and our cricket… but this incident really was beyond our control.” Three Afghan cricketers killed in Pakistan airstrikes After a cross-border airstrike in Paktika province, Afghanistan team had withdrawn from a tri-nation T20I series with Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Three young cricketers, Kabeer, Sibghatullah, and Haroon, were killed, along with five civilians. Captain Rashid Khan called the attack “absolutely immoral and barbaric,” while Mohammad Nabi said, “This incident is not only a tragedy for Paktika but for the entire Afghan cricket family and the nation as a whole.” Even ICC and BCCI had sided with the Afghanistan Cricket Board’s actions. 2025: Blast near Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Islamabad The most recent incident took place on 11 November 2025, while Pakistan vs Sri Lanka’s first ODI of a three-match series was taking place at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Meanwhile, just 17 kilometres away from the match venue, outside the Islamabad District Sessions court, a suicide attack occurred. So far, there is no reaction to the incident from either board or ICC; however, such incidents do mar the sports reputation of a nation, and Pakistan has received another stain of the unfortunate fate on its image as a nation with the ability to host cricket tournaments.