Two 50-over matches were left to be played but the series has been canceled for now.
Sri Lanka A’s remaining tour of Pakistan has been canceled with immediate effect. Let us tell you that this decision has been taken due to the ongoing political protests in the country’s capital Islamabad. These protests are being carried out by supporters of former Prime Minister and Captain of Pakistan Imran Khan.
Sri Lanka A was scheduled to play two 50-over cricket matches at the Rawalpindi Cricket Ground, Rawalpindi, but now these matches have been cancelled. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said that the tour has been canceled due to “political activity” in Islamabad.
The PCB said in an official statement – The Pakistan Cricket Board, in consultation with Sri Lanka Cricket, has postponed the last two 50-over matches of the Pakistan Shaheens and Sri Lanka A series due to a political activity in the federal capital. The last two matches were scheduled for Wednesday and Friday at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Both the boards will cooperate in finalizing the new dates to complete the series.
It is noteworthy that the PCB was worried about the consequences of PTI’s protests on the series since last week. A few days ago, it announced that the first ODI, which was scheduled to be held at the Rawalpindi Cricket Ground, would be shifted to Islamabad Club. According to the PCB, the second and third 50-over matches were to be played as planned on November 27 and 29 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Ground. But now it will be played some other day.
So after this announcement, Imran Khan has issued a “final call” to his supporters to march to the capital demanding, among other things, his release from jail. There have reportedly been incidents of clashes and violence between protesters and law enforcers. It is noteworthy that Imran Khan is also the Chief of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf political party.