PCB reworks schedule of tri-series against Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka amid security concerns

The Pakistan Cricket Board has rescheduled the opening of a T20I tri-series towards Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe from November 17 to November 18 apart from making Rawalpindi the only real venue for the event owing to the visiting groups’ safety issues within the wake of a suicide assault in Islamabad.

The second sport of the seven-match rubber has additionally been postponed by a day to November 20.

Earlier, Lahore was scheduled to host 5 video games of the occasion, together with the ultimate on November 29 however the three boards have agreed to carry the proceedings solely in Rawalpindi now.

“The choice to revise the schedule was made in session with Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) and Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC), following mutual discussions to accommodate operational and match necessities,” the PCB stated in a press release after evening of hectic negotiations to make sure that the Lankan gamers don’t depart an ongoing ODI sequence halfway.

The Zimbabwe cricket group reached Islamabad early Thursday morning amid tight safety for what’s being described as an “vital preparatory platform forward of the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup”, by the PCB.

The Sri Lankan cricket group may also proceed with its bilateral tour of Pakistan and no participant or official is planning to return residence, in keeping with its group supervisor, Mahinda Halangoda.

Eight gamers had expressed issues about persevering with the tour after the fear assault in Islamabad, which left 12 lifeless and several other injured. However after SLC spoke to them and gave them assurances, they’ve determined to remain for the project.

Halangoda stated that no participant can be returning to Sri Lanka.

“I can verify that,” he asserted.

A dependable supply conscious of the developments stated it had taken huge behind the scenes efforts to persuade the gamers that they’d be protected in Pakistan and will proceed taking part in the sequence.

“The Sri Lanka board President Shammi Silva and the Sri Lankan Excessive Commissioner in Pakistan acquired concerned and issues are settled for now,” he stated.

PCB Chairman and Inside Minister Mohsin Naqvi stated he was grateful to the Sri Lankan group for the choice to proceed the Pakistan tour.

The PCB later introduced a slight change within the schedule of the remaining two one-day video games. The PCB introduced that the 2 matches will now be performed on Friday and Sunday in Rawalpindi, as a substitute of the initially deliberate dates of November 13 and 15.