South African cricketers have left Sri Lanka and are flying home as a result of a fatal bombing in Colombo.
Originally scheduled to compete alongside India in a one-day international tri-series, the Proteas were left shaken after a bomb, which killed seven people, was detonated within a mile of their hotel..jpg)
Despite fearing for their safety, South African players remained in Sri Lanka until an independent security review revealed that the team's safety could not be guaranteed.
South Africa Cricket (SAC) chief executive Gerald Majola said his organisation had made the decision to pull its players from the tournament because it did not want them at risk.
"The report says there is a real situational threat to the team," he told the BBC.
"The Sri Lankan Government is unable to guarantee the physical security of the team given the current security situation in Colombo."
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) officials admitted to feeling disappointed by the South Africans' decision to pull out of the one-day international tournament.
"South Africa are pulling out of the tournament on the basis of a security company based in Dubai," SLC chief executive Duleep Mendis said.
"How can a Dubai-based company assess the situation in Colombowhen they had not sent anyone to the island to get first-hand information on the current situation?"
Sri Lanka and India will now compete in three one-day internationals on August 18, 20 and 22 at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo.
