The upcoming tri-nation Twenty20 international series involving hosts Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe will now be played entirely in Rawalpindi from November 18, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced on Thursday.
The change comes in the wake of Tuesday’s suicide bombing in the capital, Islamabad, which killed 12 people. The series, considered key preparation for next year’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, was initially set to feature five matches in Lahore.
The PCB said the revised schedule was agreed upon after discussions with Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) and Zimbabwe Cricket “to accommodate operational and match requirements”. The series will take place after Pakistan’s remaining two one-day internationals against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi on Friday and Sunday.
On Wednesday, several Sri Lanka players had requested to return home citing safety concerns following the bombing. However, SLC later issued a statement confirming that the 16-member squad, along with the team management and support staff, had decided to continue the tour.
“This decision follows assurances provided by SLC, in close consultation with the PCB and the relevant authorities, to ensure the safety and well-being of every member of the touring party,” the statement read.
Rawalpindi and Islamabad are twin cities located just 20 kilometres apart. Pakistan has long faced challenges convincing international teams to tour after gunmen attacked the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore in 2009, injuring six players. The incident led to a decade-long exile, with Pakistan hosting its “home” matches in the United Arab Emirates.
Security conditions have improved significantly in recent years, allowing Test cricket to return to Pakistan when Sri Lanka toured in 2019.
The tri-series will conclude with the final on November 29. Zimbabwe joined the competition after Afghanistan withdrew last month following the deaths of three domestic players, which the Afghanistan Cricket Board attributed to military strikes in Paktika province.
