PAK vs AUS: White-ball leg of the tour shifted to Lahore, CA and PCB yet to confirm

Australia and Pakistan are currently involved in the ongoing three-match Test series. The third and final Test match is set to be played in Lahore from March 21. The two teams then are scheduled to face each other in three ODIs and a one-off T20I. Rawalpindi is set to host the white-ball leg of the tour, however, Pakistan’s Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad has stated that the matches have now been shifted to Lahore.

The move seems to be a forced one given the unstable political situation surrounding Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan who is likely to face a no-confidence vote next week. But the two boards, Cricket Australia (CA) and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) are yet to finalise the decision.

According to ESPNCricinfo, CA and PCB are yet to confirm the development and the decision is for the two boards to take and not for the government. The three ODIs are set to be played on March 29, March 31 and April 2 while the tour will conclude with a one-off T20I on April 5.

Why the matches could well be shifted out of Rawalpindi?

Prime Minsiter Imran Khan’s party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the opposition Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) have decided to bring in massive number of people in support on the roads in Islamabad which is closer to Rawalpindi. PTI has decided to bring out a massive one million people to D Chowk on March 27 to express solidarity with Imran.

However, the area is less than two kilometers away from the hotel where Australia and Pakistan cricket teams are expected to stay during the series. Having said that, the PCB is understood to be reluctant to change the venue as they are concerned about the message it would send across the cricketing world. But it seems that the circumstances might eventually force them to do so. Moreover, there is still no clarity if the dates of the matches will be changed.