Forget ICC Champions Trophy, Sri Lanka A tour to Pakistan put on hold due to “political protests”

Amid the row over India’s refusal to travel for Champions Trophy 2025, Pakistan has been dealt with a new blow. Sri Lanka A’s tour of Pakistan has reportedly been cut short and put on hold due to political protests in the country. The incident comes at a time when uncertainty looms over Pakistan retaining the rights to host the marquee event in February 2025.

Sri Lanka A tour to Pakistan put on hold amid CT 2025 row

As per ESPNCricinfo, protests by the members of Pakistan Tehreek-I-Insaaf (PTI) party in capital Islamabad has forced the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to put the series on hold. With one match done, the remainder of the series is indefinitely postponed.

“The Pakistan Cricket Board, in consultation with Sri Lanka Cricket, has postponed the last two 50-over matches of the Pakistan Shaheens-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 boards will collaborate to finalise new dates to complete the series,” PCB said in a statement.

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The decision to defer the remainder of Sri Lanka A’s matches are due to protests of the PTI members led by former PM Imran Khan. Pakistan A emerged victorious in the 1st match by 108 runs and lead the series 1-0. The remaining two fixtures were scheduled to be played in Rawalpindi. However. the recent developments have forced Pakistan to take knee-jerk measures.

ICC Champions Trophy row ft. India & Pakistan

 ICC is likely to ask all its members to vote for a solution in the upcoming meeting to decide on the venue for Champions Trophy 2025. The move comes after the PCB was informed of India’s refusal to travel to the neighbouring country for the event. India last traveled to Pakistan in 2008 for Asia Cup following which geopolitical tensions between the two countries forced the former to boycott cricket in the latter. Since then, the two sides have met only at ICC events in neutral venues.

Dragging India to court for refusing to travel to Pakistan for Champions Trophy 2025 was one of the threats issued by Pakistan. The other threats include withdrawing from the tournament if a hybrid model is adopted, boycotting future ICC events where India will be participating in and writing a letter to the ICC seeking clarity on why India refused to travel to Pakistan.