Past terror attacks on international teams in Pakistan concerns participants in ongoing cricket trophy

The concerns over the safety and security of international cricket players currently playing in Pakistan seem justifiable if the Islamabad government’s record is analysed. There have been direct armed attacks.
New Zealand, England, and even Bangladesh expressed apprehensions before the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy began. India has refused to play in Pakistan; instead all its matches would be played outside Pakistan.

The fears of these countries, especially, India appear valid, thanks to the several incidences of militant attacks on players from other countries, resulting in multiple injuries and fatalities. In 2009, the Sri Lankan team was attacked by terrorists in Lahore, which left six dead. Recalling the tragic incident, Sri Lankan player Kumar Sangakkara said “They shot the bus as many times as they could, threw grenades and fired a rocket launcher. And for some reason, I don’t know why, we all survived.” Three Sri Lankan players received injuries.

Questions were raised on the security preparations by the Pakistani securities agencies. The armed commando failed in responding to the attack, said Sri Lankan spinner Muthiah Muralidaran. “The security people we had didn’t even seem to fight back. Were they professionals with enough training? They didn’t seem to know what to do. I was surprised the terrorists were able to just reload the magazines and keep firing, and they never got caught. It was shameful.

In 2002, a suicide car bombing occurred outside the hotel where the New Zealand cricket team was staying. At least 14 people including 11 French engineers were killed. The New Zealand team left the country immediately. The security agencies were caught off-guard. Pakistan’s government even failed to convict those behind the fatal attack.

While initially it was assumed to be carried out by Al Qaeda, the investigations by French agencies pointed fingers at Pakistan’s military and intelligence services as an act of revenge for cutting off kickbacks in the submarine deal. Citing the written evidence and testimony, a French counter-terrorism official said “That theoretically provides the Pakistani authorities involved with a motive for an attack.”

These attacks drove many cricket-playing countries to boycott the sports events in Pakistan for over a decade. Many countries would often call off tours to Pakistan amid safety fears. Pakistan still cannot be presumed to be safe for international visitors, especially, those from the arch-rival India due to terrorism, political instability, civil unrest, and lawlessness.

India, Australia, England, South Africa, New Zealand, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh are the part of the ongoing ICC cricket tournament. While Sri Lanka did not qualify for this tournament, New Zealand sent a delegation to Pakistan comprising a security specialist to assess safety and security measures. Bangladesh too made the same demand before sending its team to Pakistan.

While half of the participating countries felt a knot in the stomach before deciding to play in Pakistan, India chose to play all its matches at the neutral venue in the United Arab Emirates’ Dubai.

Australia has so far cancelled three tours to Pakistan over security concerns. This time it has decided to play in Pakistan but three of its players including captain Pat Cummins have opted out, reportedly, due to security reasons. On the other hand, England too has been under tremendous pressure not to play a match against Afghanistan fearing the attacks from Taliban supporters in Pakistan.

India and Pakistan have remained hostile towards each other since their partition in 1947, fighting four major wars. New Delhi has accused the Islamabad government and Pakistani army of supporting insurgency and violence in India-administered Kashmir as well as carrying out bomb blasts in different Indian cities in past three decades.

Moreover, many Indian celebrities have received death threats from Pakistani militant groups. International cricket players from Sri Lanka, and New Zealand had narrowly escaped deaths in the terror attacks in Pakistan. Against such a backdrop, the Indian team may not be comfortable playing in Pakistan.

The historic belligerence, the proliferation of radical elements and terrorism in Pakistan, and heightened geopolitical tension are crucial aspects for India’s concern. Moreover, the role of the Pakistani military in anti-India activities backs the Indian claims regarding the safety of its players in Pakistan.

Highlighting terrorism and cross-border activities, former Indian Sports Minister Anurag Thakur said the safety and security of players was priority. “India is not willing to play there. The conditions in Pakistan are not very sports-friendly, not very safe and secure. The decision made … is right,” he said.