Champions Trophy 2025: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is adamant on hosting the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy in its country. On the other hand, political instability has arisen within the country. There has been a violent clash between PTI supporters and security personnel in the country's capital Islamabad over the release of jailed former PM Imran Khan, which has also affected cricket. Due to violent protests, PCB had to stop the ongoing series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka 'A' midway.
The Pakistan Cricket Board issued a statement on Tuesday, November 26, saying that on the advice of Sri Lanka Cricket, in view of the ongoing protests in the capital, the last two 50-over matches of the Pakistan Shaheen and Sri Lanka 'A' series have been postponed.
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— PCB Media (@TheRealPCBMedia) November 26, 2024
Series postponed due to violent protests
For the last few days, the series of cricket's biggest format and 50 over matches is being played in Rawalpindi between Pakistan Shaheen and Sri Lanka A, in which the matches were played for the first four days and now the ODI series has started. Pakistan Shaheen had won both the red ball matches, while also taking the lead in the series by winning the first match of the ODI series. There are 2 more matches left in the series, which are scheduled for Wednesday and Friday at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. But, due to the violence that took place in the capital Islamabad within the last 48 hours, PCB along with Sri Lanka Cricket decided to postpone this series for the time being. PCB said in its statement that new dates to complete the series will be decided soon with the cooperation of the Sri Lankan board.
12 people died
Let us tell you that the distance from Islamabad to Rawalpindi is only 14 km. This is the reason why PCB decided to stop this series midway. In Pakistan, for the last few days, senior leaders of his party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) had announced Islamabad march to their supporters regarding the release of former PM Imran Khan from jail, after which thousands of supporters of the former PM came to Islamabad. They took to the streets demanding his release and marched towards Islamabad. However, considering the situation, the Pakistan government had made strict security arrangements. Meanwhile, a clash broke out between security personnel and supporters, in which 12 people including 4 Pakistani Rangers died.
Pakistan's position weak on ICC Champions Trophy!
After the ongoing violence in Islamabad and postponement of the series against Sri Lanka 'A', another challenge has increased before the Pakistan Cricket Board. In such a situation, the question arises that how will Pakistan organize the Champions Trophy at home? On the other hand, PCB is adamant on the demand of organizing the ICC Champions Trophy at home, while Team India has refused to go to Pakistan. At the same time, ICC is convincing PCB to organize the tournament under hybrid model, on which Pakistan is not agreeing. However, due to the latest situation in Pakistan, the position of PCB now seems to be weakening. At the same time, ICC will give its decision on this on 29th November. In such a situation, it will be interesting to see whether the PCB agrees to the hybrid model or not.
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