ISLAMABAD: In a dramatic turn of events ahead of the second ODI at the Rawalpindi Stadium, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) jointly managed to convince a group of Sri Lankan players to stay back after they initially requested to leave the tour midway, citing security concerns.
The series has been rescheduled with the second ODI to be played on Friday and the third now to be played on Sunday, November 16.
“Grateful to the Sri Lankan team for their decision to continue the tour. Their spirit of sportsmanship and solidarity shines bright. The ODI matches between Pakistan and Sri Lanka will be played on 14th and 16th November now at the Rawalpindi Stadium,” Mohsin Naqvi, said in his late-night Tweet (X).
Now the upcoming T20I Tri-Nation Tournament involving Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe will be played entirely in Rawalpindi, starting from November 18, with final on November 29.
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 T20I Tri-Nation Tournament will serve as an important preparatory platform ahead of the ICC T20 According to sources, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi personally intervened to address the situation, meeting the players for 90 minutes and team management at their hotel late Wednesday evening. During the meeting, Naqvi assured the touring party of foolproof security arrangements, reiterating that the Sri Lankan team had been accorded state guest status throughout their stay in Pakistan.
“The security of our guests is our topmost priority. Every measure has been taken to ensure their safety and comfort,” Naqvi was quoted as saying in his interaction with the players.
The intervention proved timely and effective. While a few players remained hesitant, the majority were convinced by the assurances extended by both boards. Only two to three cricketers continued to express reservations, but the Sri Lanka Cricket Board stepped in decisively, instructing the players to honor their national commitments and complete the series.
Insiders revealed that the cricketers who showed initial reluctance are those holding contracts with the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises and were wary of the tense regional climate. However, after extensive discussions between the PCB, SLC and team security officials, the situation was brought under control.
The development comes at a time when the whole region, including India, also faces security threats. Likewise, South Africa stays back in India despite the bomb blast in New Delhi and is scheduled to play a Test starting in Kolkata from Friday.
The PCB’s proactive response and the cooperation extended by SLC have been widely praised in cricketing circles as a show of strong bilateral relations and mutual trust between the two boards.
The second ODI, scheduled for Thursday, will now be played on Friday, with the third planned for Sunday. Both teams now look eager to put the off-field drama behind them and focus on what promises to be another thrilling contest on the field.
SLC’s official statement, which was released late Wednesday cleared all dust surrounding the tour, maintaining that the Board wants the tour to go ahead.
The official statement coming out of the SL Board says: Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) was informed by the team management this morning that several members of the national team currently touring Pakistan have requested to return home, citing safety concerns. Following this development, SLC immediately engaged with the players and assured them that all such concerns are being duly addressed in close coordination with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the relevant authorities to ensure the safety and well-being of every member of the touring party. In this context, SLC has instructed all players, support staff, and team management to continue with the tour as scheduled.
However, if any player or member of the touring party decide to return to Sri Lanka despite the directive issued by SLC to continue with the tour, Sri Lanka Cricket will immediately send replacements to ensure that the tour continues without interruption. If any player, players, or member of the support staff return despite SLC’s directives, a formal review will be conducted to assess their actions, and an appropriate decision will be made upon the conclusion of the review.
Meanwhile, the PCB in a late night handout says: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) would like to inform fans and stakeholders that the schedule for the ongoing One-Day International (ODI) series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi has been slightly revised.
The 2nd ODI, which was originally scheduled for 13 November 2025, will now be played on 14 November 2025 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Tickets purchased for 13 November will remain valid and can be used for entry on 14 November.
Similarly, the 3rd ODI, which was previously set for 15 November 2025, has been rescheduled to 16 November 2025. All tickets purchased for 15 November will be valid for the 16 November fixture.
The PCB appreciates the understanding and cooperation of cricket fans and looks forward to their continued support as we host the Sri Lanka team in what promises to be an exciting ODI series.
