Pakistan’s interior minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad has said that the white-ball matches between the two sides will be shifted to Lahore from Rawalpindi. It is learnt that the move is being forced on the Pakistan Cricket Boarddue to a political development.
The country’s prime minister Imran Khan is set to face a non-confidence vote. His party Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) as well as the opposition Pakistan Democratic Movement have said to rally huge numbers in support for their respective campaigns towards Islamabad.
PTI has earlier promised to bring one million people to D Chowk on March 27. D Chowk, a town square, is known for hosting political rallies and is two kilometres away from the hotel the two teams were reserved to stay. PDM has also instructed its workers and the public to march towards Islamabad on March 23.
Rawalpindi was slated to host three One-Day internationals on March 29, March 31 and April 2, followed by a T20I on April 5. It is understood that the PCB is reluctant to move the series as it might send a wrong message to the cricketing world. The rising political tension in the country, however, may leave them with no other option.
Australia’s several key players have opted to give it a miss for different reasons. David Warner, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood are set to leave for India after the Test series for Indian Premier League, while Mitchell Starc will also sit out. Glenn Maxwell will miss the series for his wedding. Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head have been named in the squad.
Pakistan have announced a 20-man squad for the white-ball matches, with some new faces getting opportunities. Mohammad Haris and Asif Afridi impressed the management with their recent domestic performances.
The two teams are currently in Lahore to play the final Test of the three-match series, starting March 21. The series is level at 0-0, with the first two Tests at Rawalpindi and Karachi ending in a draw.
