The ongoing political turmoil in Pakistan has impacted the Sri Lanka A cricket tour, with the remaining matches of the series against Pakistan A being indefinitely postponed. This comes as Pakistan grapples with uncertainty over its hosting rights for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, amid India’s refusal to travel for the event.
Sri Lanka A series put on hold
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced the postponement of the last two matches of the Pakistan Shaheens-Sri Lanka A series due to protests led by the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) party in Islamabad. The matches, originally scheduled for Wednesday and Friday at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, will be rescheduled in coordination with Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC). Pakistan A leads the series 1-0 after winning the first match by 108 runs.
In a statement, the PCB said:
“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. Both boards will collaborate to finalise new dates to complete the series.”
ICC Champions Trophy row adds to PCB’s challenges
The postponement comes amidst a broader crisis as Pakistan faces challenges over its hosting rights for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan due to geopolitical tensions has placed the tournament in jeopardy. The last time India visited Pakistan for a cricketing event was during the 2008 Asia Cup.
The PCB has reportedly threatened to escalate the matter to the International Cricket Council (ICC) by:
- Filing a legal case against India for refusing to travel.
- Boycotting ICC events involving India.
- Pushing for a hybrid model or withdrawing from the Champions Trophy entirely.
With the ICC set to hold a members’ meeting to vote on potential solutions, Pakistan’s ability to host the tournament remains uncertain.
Broader implications
The indefinite postponement of the Sri Lanka A series underscores the growing instability impacting cricket in Pakistan. While the PCB has expressed hope for rescheduling the series, political unrest and international pressure are likely to shape the future of cricketing events in the country.