Photo Credit: Instagram Photo of @officialslc
Sri Lanka‘s A team will return home midway through their series against Pakistan Shaheens due to political protests in Islamabad. The PCB announced on Tuesday that after consulting the Sri Lankan board, the last two 50-over matches, initially scheduled for Wednesday and Friday in Rawalpindi, have been postponed.
Pakistan Shaheens won the first game in Islamabad by 108 runs on Monday. Both boards will work together to reschedule the series.
The protests were initiated by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf party, led by former cricket captain and prime minister Imran Khan, with a march toward Islamabad starting Sunday. Clashes and violence have been reported between protestors and law enforcement. Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, also PCB chairman, stated that the army had been deployed to manage the unrest.
Separately, the ICC board will meet virtually on November 29 to finalise the Champions Trophy schedule, set for February-March next year in Pakistan. The delay stems from India’s reluctance to play in Pakistan due to strained relations between the two countries.
India has not toured Pakistan since the 2008 Mumbai attacks. The BCCI proposes a hybrid model, with India’s matches hosted in a third country, likely the UAE, but Pakistan has not agreed.
“The ICC board will meet on November 29 to discuss the Champions Trophy schedule,” an ICC spokesperson told PTI. The meeting precedes BCCI secretary Jay Shah’s assumption of the ICC chairmanship on December 1.
Resolving the venue issue is a priority ahead of the leadership transition. With India firm on its stance, a hybrid model with India’s games outside Pakistan appears the most feasible solution. Concerns have been raised about ICC leadership for addressing the issue so late.
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Name of Author: Cricexec Staff
