The Sri Lankan cricket team was touring Pakistan in January and February 2009.

The series was the first Test tour of Pakistan since South Africa visited in October 2007.

In May 2002, New Zealand abandoned their Test series in Pakistan after a suicide bomb attack outside their hotel.

[4] In order to persuade the Sri Lankan team to visit, the Pakistan government offered to arrange "presidential-style security.

No cricketers were killed but five were listed as injured including Mahela Jayawardene, the Sri Lankan captain, and his deputy Kumar Sangakkara, Ajantha Mendis, Thilan Samaraweera and Tharanga Paranavitana.