New Delhi: Pakistan announced postponement of their ongoing Sri Lanka A home tour due to political unrest in Rawalpindi on Tuesday.
The Sri Lankan A team landed in Pakistan for two unofficial Tests (four-day games) and three ODIs that began on November 11 with the last two 50-over games scheduled to be held on Wednesday and Friday at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
But a day before commencement of the second ODI, the Pakistan Cricket Board announced an abrupt end to the tour, two weeks after India refused to tour for Champions Trophy.
“The Pakistan Cricket Board, in consultation with Sri Lanka Cricket, has postponed the last two 50-over matches of the Pakistan Shaheens-Sri Lanka ‘A’ series due to a political activity in the federal capital,” the PCB said in a statement.
“The last two matches were scheduled for Wednesday and Friday at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Both boards will collaborate to finalise new dates to complete the series.”
Pakistan Shaheens had won the two four-day matches 1-0 and the opening 50-over game by 108 runs on Monday.
Champions Trophy future hangs in balance
Violent political protests, started by former cricket captain and Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf party, have erupted in capital Islamabad since Sunday.
Reports have emerged of clashes between protestors and law enforcement forces. PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, also a federal interior minister had declared that the Pakistan government has called the army to quell the unrest.
This development comes after India refused to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy that is scheduled to begin on February 19 over security concerns.
India’s matches are tentatively scheduled to be played on lahore though reports suggest that the Intetnational Cricket Coucil might have to opt for a ‘hybrid model’ in case India insist on not touring.
Pakistan are adamant they want to host all the matches on their soil, whoch has forced the ICC to call for a meeting on November 29 to find a way.
The ICC could ask its members to vote on the matter, taking a final call once its Board reaches a consensus.
The Pakistan Cricket Board announced an abrupt end to the ongoing Sri Lanka A tour, two weeks after India refused to travel for Champions Trophy over security concerns. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
