Australian tour of Pakistan: The 3-match ODI series and lone T20I will be moved from Rawalpindi to Lahore due to prevailing political tensions in nearby Islamabad.
Pakistan vs Australia ODI, T20 moves to Lahore due to political tensions (AFP Photo)
HIGHLIGHTS
- Pakistan and Australia were scheduled to play 3 ODIs, a T20I at Rawalpindi
- The games will now be played at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore
- Decision made due to political tensions in nearby Islamabad
The 3-match ODI series and lone T20I between Pakistan and Australia, scheduled to take place in Rawalpindi from March 29, has been moved to Karachi, Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad said on Friday. The decision was made due to the prevailing political tensions in Islamabad.
The ODIs and T20I will be held at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, which will also host the final test of the ongoing 3-match series. Pakistan and Australia played two tied Tests, one each in Rawalpindi and Karachi in Australia’s first trip to the Asian nation in 29 years.
“The games will be moved to Lahore due to political activities in the capital,” Ahmad told reporters on Friday.
#BREAK Pakistan-Australia ODIs, T20 moved to Lahore from Rawalpindi for ‘political’ reasons: minister #AFSports pic.twitter.com/QBb5ifVMRb
— AFP news agency (@AFP) March 18, 2022
The teams have received no threats, but the decision to change the venue of the limited-over series comes despite pro-government and anti-government political rallies planned in the coming days in Islamabad, located near Rawalpindi, according to the news agency AFP.
According to Pakistani media, the parliamentary session to vote on the motion of no confidence in Prime Minister Imran Khan will take place sooner or later.
Australian cricketers, including Test captain Pat Cummins, have stressed they are happy with the safety in Pakistan and the hospitality of the Pakistan Cricket Board. At both the Rawalpindi and Karachi Tests, crowds were in the stands as Pakistan welcomed top-flight international cricket to its ground after more than a decade.
Australia last toured Pakistan in 1998 when they won the Test series 1-0 while also winning all matches in the limited-over series. Pakistan has struggled to attract visiting teams since a deadly terrorist attack on the visiting Sri Lanka team’s bus in 2009, and Australia pulled out of a tour five years earlier after a suicide bombing at a church in Lahore.
Pakistan has also hosted Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka, the West Indies, Bangladesh and South Africa for the past six years.
Pakistan and Australia will play the 3rd test in Lahore from March 21st.
