The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced changes to the schedule of the ongoing three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka and the upcoming T20 triangular tournament between Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe in the wake of the suicide bombing in Islamabad.
12 killed and 27 injured in deadly suicide blast outside a district court in Islamabad, The blast occurred on Tuesday afternoon when there was a crowd of people in the area.Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif reportedly linked the Islamabad attack to “Indian state terrorism”,
PCB shifts all matches to Rawalpindi after Islamabad suicide attack
Following the suicide bombing in Islamabad, many Sri Lankan players decided to cut short the Pakistan tour due to security concerns, but Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) ordered them to complete the series as they would be provided top-level security during their stay in the country.
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The scare among the touring team prompted the PCB to make changes to the schedule, as Pakistan and Sri Lanka were scheduled to play their second ODI on 13 November, which has now been shifted to 14 November, and the final match will be played on 16 November at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
The PCB said the decision was taken after discussions with Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) and Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) to make the schedules more convenient for teams and organisers. Earlier, the Sri Lankan team was staying in Islamabad, but for better security management after the blast, both the sides will now stay in Rawalpindi for the rest of the series.
PCB revised schedules after Islamabad bombing
Meanwhile, the T20I tri-series will also be held entirely in Rawalpindi. The tournament will begin on November 18 and conclude with the final on November 29.
The T20I tri-series will serve as a valuable build-up to the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, giving all three teams a chance to test their combinations and form ahead of the global tournament.,
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“Under the revised schedule, the remaining ODI matches between Pakistan and Sri Lanka will now be played at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium (RCS) on November 14 and 16, 2025, while the T20I Tri-Nation tournament will now be held entirely in Rawalpindi starting on November 18, with the final on November 29, 2025,” the PCB said in a media release.
Revised schedule of Tri-Nation series.
– All matches shifted to Rawalpindi. pic.twitter.com/NTJes2albV
– Sherry. (@CallMeSheri1_) 13 November 2025
Army and Rangers deployed to protect Sri Lankan team amid security fears
On the other hand, a special meeting was held in Islamabad between Sri Lankan High Commissioner, Admiral (retd) Fred Seneviratne, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and top government officials to review the situation.
Pakistan assured that the Sri Lankan players and staff were being treated as state guests and tight security arrangements were in place around their hotels, practice sessions and stadiums. Naqvi also personally met the Sri Lankan team to ensure that they felt safe and comfortable.
After reviewing the new measures, Sri Lankan officials said they were satisfied with the arrangements, which would allow the ODI series to go ahead smoothly. “Security has been beefed up with Pakistan Army and paramilitary Rangers now deployed to monitor the visiting players and officials,” PTI quoted the source as saying.
