COAS Asim Munir helped convince Sri Lankan team to continue Pakistan tour: Naqvi

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Thursday revealed that Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir played a key role in convincing Sri Lanka to continue its tour of Pakistan after several players of the team requested to return home over security concerns.

Naqvi, who also serves as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman, told the Senate that Field Marshal Asim Munir personally contacted Sri Lanka’s defence minister and secretary, assuring them of complete security arrangements for the visiting team.

The minister recalled that immediately after the blast, the Sri Lankan side had initially decided to return home. “They had many reservations, but we worked to address each of their concerns,” he said, noting that Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake also spoke to his players to encourage them to stay.

Also Read: SLC tells players to continue Pakistan tour as PCB addresses safety concerns

He added that the coordinated efforts between Pakistani authorities and Sri Lankan officials helped restore the team’s confidence. “Their board, players, and management decided with courage to continue the matches,” he remarked.

The minister further stated that the Pakistan Army, Rangers, and Islamabad police are jointly managing the security arrangements, providing the Sri Lankan players with state-level protection and protocol.

Naqvi also mentioned that the Zimbabwe team has now arrived in Pakistan and that the remaining fixtures of the ongoing series will take place in Rawalpindi.