New Delhi: Sri Lanka A pulling out from a cricket series midway in Pakistan is bad news for the country’s cricket board amidst the uncertainty of hosting the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025. Sri Lanka A returned home from their Pakistan tour midway due to political unrest in Pakistan’s capital Islamabad.
Following requests from the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) to postpone the remaining two 50-over games, PCB confirmed the deferment of the two unofficial ODIs due to the ongoing protests in Islamabad. The supporters of former Prime Minister, Imran Khan, on Tuesday, November 27, turned violent with several policemen losing their lives because of the savagery.
Sri Lanka A’s sudden departure from Pakistan tour
The violence prompted the government to bring in the army to control the unruly crowd. Rawalpindi Stadium hosted the first two unofficial Tests between Pakistan A and Sri Lanka A, with the hosts winning one of the two fixtures while one ending in a draw. Pakistan also won the first 50-over format match before the remaining two were postponed.
The PCB is set to work with SLC to set a final date for the final two matches.
How will the SL A vs PAK A postponement impact Pakistan’s Champions Trophy hosting chances?
The midway pullout from Sri Lanka is set to severely jeopardise Pakistan’s chances of hosting the Champions Trophy next year. India’s firm stance of not touring Pakistan due to security reasons coupled with the Sri Lanka A’s pullout because of the brutal violence can prove to be a big red signal for the ICC and the rest of the nations.
Impact of political violence on Pakistan’s cricket future
PCB has been dealing with India’s demand for a hybrid model for the Champions Trophy. While the cricket board has rejected the idea of the hybrid model and said that the CT will be held entirely in Pakistan, there is a feeling the country will budge as it did in the 2023 Asia Cup. The current set of events is also likely to weaken their case.
After BCCI, backed by the Indian government denied sending the team to Pakistan, PCB asked the ICC to intervene. In order to put the issue to bed, the world governing body will conduct a meeting with both boards to finalise the Champions Trophy venues on Friday.
Sri Lanka A’s pull out from their Pakistan tour due to political unrest casts a big shadow over Pakistan’s hopes of hosting the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. The violence, coupled with India’s refusal to tour Pakistan citing security concerns, significantly weakens Pakistan’s case as a host for the global event. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
