Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi
Zimpapers Sports Hub
PAKISTAN has overhauled next week’s T20I Tri-Nation Tournament schedule after a suicide bombing in Islamabad triggered fresh security concerns. All seven matches, involving Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe, will now take place in Rawalpindi.
The tournament was meant to open on Monday, but the first game has been pushed to Tuesday. Pakistan and Sri Lanka were set to share hosting duties between Lahore and Rawalpindi, with Lahore pencilled in for five matches including the November 29 final. The three cricket boards agreed to shift everything to Rawalpindi to keep the event in a controlled environment.
The move followed disruptions in the ongoing ODI series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka, where two matches were delayed by a day each after several visiting players asked to return home following the bombing in the capital.
“The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) today announced changes to the schedule of the ongoing One Day International (ODI) series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka, as well as the upcoming T20I Tri-Nation Tournament involving Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe,” read a PCB statement. “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.”
Zimbabwe arrived in Pakistan on Thursday morning after a stopover in Dubai. Each team will play four games, with the top two sides advancing to the final on November 29.
Organisers say the tri-series will be an important tune up ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup in 2026, set for India and Sri Lanka.
Series schedule (all matches at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium)
18 November – Pakistan v Zimbabwe
20 November – Sri Lanka v Zimbabwe
22 November – Pakistan v Sri Lanka
23 November – Pakistan v Zimbabwe
25 November – Sri Lanka v Zimbabwe
27 November – Pakistan v Sri Lanka
29 November – Final
