KARACHI: Pakistan on Thursday announced a revised schedule for its ongoing One-Day International series against Sri Lanka after confirming the tour would continue as planned, despite concerns raised by some Sri Lanka players following a deadly suicide bombing in Islamabad.
According to Reuters, some Sri Lankan cricketers requested to return home from their Pakistan tour for safety reasons after the incident in Islamabad that killed at least 12 people and injured 36, but their board issued a stern directive to stay put or face consequences.
Sri Lanka are touring Pakistan, playing a three-match ODI series followed by a Twenty20 tri-series along with Zimbabwe this month. Sri Lanka were scheduled to play Pakistan in the second ODI in Rawalpindi, hardly 20 kilometers from Islamabad, on Thursday, but the contest has been rescheduled for Friday.
“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 PCB said in a statement.
“The 2nd ODI, which was originally scheduled for 13 November 2025, will now be played on 14 November 2025 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium,” it added. “Tickets purchased for 13 November will remain valid and can be used for entry on 14 November.”
The PCB also said it had revised the schedule of the upcoming T20I Tri-Nation Tournament involving Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe, saying the changes were made in consultation with Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) and Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC).
Under the revised schedule, the remaining ODI matches between Pakistan and Sri Lanka will now be played on 14 and 16 November, 2025 at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium (RCS), while the T20I Tri-Nation Tournament shall now completely be played in Rawalpindi, commencing 18 November, with the final scheduled for 29 November 2025.
The PCB said the T20I Tri-Nation Tournament will serve as an important preparatory platform ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.
It informed the updated fixtures for both the ODI series and the T20I Tri-Nation Tournament will be shared shortly on the PCB’s official platforms.
The Sri Lankan players were targeted by militants in Pakistan’s eastern city of Lahore in 2009 who attacked their bus, injuring at least six players.
The incident brought visits by international teams to Pakistan to a halt. Pakistan’s own team had to play their “home” matches in the United Arab Emirates.
However, security improved in subsequent years in major urban centers and test cricket returned when Sri Lanka toured in 2019.
In the ongoing series, Pakistan have won their first ODI, which was also held in Rawalpindi, by six runs on Tuesday.
