Sri Lanka Pakistan tour suspended due to political protests

The remainder of Sri Lanka A’s tour of Pakistan was postponed indefinitely due to massive protests in Islamabad by supporters of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), a political party led by former Pakistan captain and prime minister Imran Khan. The remaining two days were to be played at the Rawalpindi Cricket Ground, the international cricket stadium in Rawalpindi.

The PCB said the postponement was due to “political activity” in Islamabad, Rawalpindi’s twin city and the capital of Pakistan. “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 political activity in the federal capital,” a PCB statement said. “The final two matches were scheduled for Wednesday and Friday at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Both boards will work together to finalize new dates to complete the series.”

The PCB had been worried about the impact the PTI protests would have on the series since the previous week. A few days ago, he announced that the first day, which was also scheduled to take place at the Rawalpindi Cricket Ground, would be moved to the Islamabad Club. The remaining two matches, according to the PCB, would have been played as scheduled at the Rawalpindi Cricket Ground on November 27 and 29. The change of venue for the first match was deemed necessary as it was scheduled for November 25, the day after Imran Khan made what he called a “final call” to his supporters to march to the capital to demand, among other things. , his release from prison.

The protests, which virtually paralyzed the capital, led to a tense standoff between Imran’s supporters and the federal government. This also caught the attention of PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who is also the country’s interior minister.

Pakistan lead the one-day series against Sri Lanka, having won the 50-run opener by 108 runs. They had also won the previous two-match first-class series 1-0.

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