Cricket's abandoned tours
ESPNcricinfo looks back at previous tours that were abandoned
ESPNcricinfo staff
17-Oct-2014
Sri Lanka were flown out of Pakistan by military helicopter after their team bus was attacked in 2009 • PA Photos
ESPNcricinfo looks back at previous tours that were abandoned after they'd begun
West Indies in England 1939
The outbreak of the Second World War saw the last seven matches of the tour cancelled. The tourists boarded the Montrose from Greenock to sail back to the Caribbean shortly before the War of the Atlantic began.
The outbreak of the Second World War saw the last seven matches of the tour cancelled. The tourists boarded the Montrose from Greenock to sail back to the Caribbean shortly before the War of the Atlantic began.
England in Pakistan 1968-69
Political upheaval saw the East Pakistan leg of the tour - where the second Test was scheduled for Dacca - initially cancelled but the Pakistan cricket board persuaded England to stay. The tour got as far as the third Test in Karachi before rioters stormed the ground on the third morning and England were on the first flight home.
Political upheaval saw the East Pakistan leg of the tour - where the second Test was scheduled for Dacca - initially cancelled but the Pakistan cricket board persuaded England to stay. The tour got as far as the third Test in Karachi before rioters stormed the ground on the third morning and England were on the first flight home.
India in Pakistan 1984-85
The assassination of Indira Gandhi saw India brought home for 13 days of national mourning; the final three matches were cancelled.
The assassination of Indira Gandhi saw India brought home for 13 days of national mourning; the final three matches were cancelled.
New Zealand in Sri Lanka 1986-87
The tour was touch and go to begin with but New Zealand were persuaded to travel. However, during the first game of the tour, an explosion in Colombo killed 100 people and New Zealand quickly departed.
The tour was touch and go to begin with but New Zealand were persuaded to travel. However, during the first game of the tour, an explosion in Colombo killed 100 people and New Zealand quickly departed.
New Zealand in Pakistan 2002
A bomb blast outside the team's hotel shortly before the start of the second Test in Karachi saw the tour immediately abandoned. It remains the last time New Zealand toured Pakistan.
A bomb blast outside the team's hotel shortly before the start of the second Test in Karachi saw the tour immediately abandoned. It remains the last time New Zealand toured Pakistan.
Sri Lanka in New Zealand 2004-05
The Boxing Day tsunami initially saw the tour only suspended for five days of mourning but the Sri Lankans soon wanted to return home
The Boxing Day tsunami initially saw the tour only suspended for five days of mourning but the Sri Lankans soon wanted to return home
South Africa in Sri Lanka 2006
Two Tests were played on the tour but a bomb exploded outside the tourists' hotel before the start of the one-day series and the matches were subsequently called off
Two Tests were played on the tour but a bomb exploded outside the tourists' hotel before the start of the one-day series and the matches were subsequently called off
Sri Lanka in Pakistan 2008-09
Terrorists opened fire on the Sri Lankan team bus en route to the second Test in Lahore, injuring six members of the tour party. The tourists were whisked home and international cricket in Pakistan was suspended.
Terrorists opened fire on the Sri Lankan team bus en route to the second Test in Lahore, injuring six members of the tour party. The tourists were whisked home and international cricket in Pakistan was suspended.
West Indies in Sri Lanka 2010-11
Persistent wet weather saw the five match one-day series abandoned after three rubbers and rescheduled.
Persistent wet weather saw the five match one-day series abandoned after three rubbers and rescheduled.