PCB reschedules tri-series against Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka amid security concerns

The PCB has rescheduled the T20I tri-series against Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe, shifting all matches to Rawalpindi after a suicide attack in Islamabad. The series will now begin on November 18, with the final scheduled for November 29

Rawalpindi: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has rescheduled the opening of the T20I tri-series against Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe from November 17 to November 18, besides making Rawalpindi the sole venue for the tournament amid security concerns following a suicide attack in Islamabad.

The second game of the seven-match series has also been postponed by a day to November 20.

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Earlier, Lahore was scheduled to host five games of the event, including the final on November 29, but the three boards have agreed to hold the proceedings exclusively in Rawalpindi.

“The decision to revise the schedule was made in consultation with Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) and Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC), following mutual discussions to accommodate operational and match requirements,” the PCB said in a statement after hectic negotiations to ensure that the Lankan players did not leave an ongoing ODI series midway.

The Zimbabwe cricket team reached Islamabad early Thursday morning amid tight security for what the PCB described as an “important preparatory platform ahead of the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup.”

Each team will feature in four matches, with the top two sides qualifying for the final.

The Sri Lankan cricket team will also continue with its bilateral tour of Pakistan and no player or official is planning to return home, according to team manager Mahinda Halangoda.

Eight players had expressed concerns about continuing the tour after the terror attack in Islamabad, which left 12 dead and several injured. But after SLC spoke to them and gave assurances, they decided to stay.

Halangoda confirmed that no player would be returning to Sri Lanka.

A reliable source said it had taken massive behind-the-scenes efforts to convince the players that they would be safe in Pakistan. “The Sri Lanka board President Shammi Silva and the Sri Lankan High Commissioner in Pakistan got involved and things are settled for now,” the source said.

PCB Chairman and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi expressed gratitude to the Sri Lankan team for continuing the tour.

The PCB later announced a slight change in the schedule of the remaining two one-day games, which will now be played on Friday and Sunday in Rawalpindi instead of the originally planned dates of November 13 and 15.

Series schedule:

18 November – Pakistan v Zimbabwe

20 November – Sri Lanka v Zimbabwe

22 November – Pakistan v Sri Lanka

23 November – Pakistan v Zimbabwe

25 November – Sri Lanka v Zimbabwe

27 November – Pakistan v Sri Lanka

29 November – Final