Sri Lanka A Ends Pakistan Tour Early Amid Political Protests, Heightening Uncertainty for ICC Champions Trophy 2025

New Delhi: Sri Lanka’s A team is cutting short their series against Pakistan Shaheens and returning home due to the increasing political unrest in Islamabad, which has raised safety concerns for the players.

The PCB announced on Tuesday that, after discussions with the Sri Lankan board, the final two 50-over matches between Pakistan Shaheens and Sri Lanka A have been postponed.

The postponed matches were originally set to take place in Rawalpindi on Wednesday and Friday, following Pakistan Shaheens’ commanding 108-run victory over Sri Lanka A in the first game held in Islamabad on Monday.

The PCB announced that it will collaborate with the Sri Lankan board to finalize new dates for completing the series. The disruptions stem from the protest march initiated by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf party, led by former captain and prime minister Imran Khan, which began on Sunday in Islamabad. The protests have been marked by clashes and incidents of violence between demonstrators and law enforcement agencies.

Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as the PCB chairman, announced that the army had been deployed to control the escalating unrest.