The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has revealed that Zimbabwe will take the place of Afghanistan in the upcoming T20I tri-series with Sri Lanka, scheduled to occur in Rawalpindi and Lahore from November 17 to 29. Zimbabwe has agreed to participate in the series, as confirmed by the PCB.
The tri-series is set to kick off on November 17, with Pakistan facing off against Zimbabwe at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. The second match will also be held at the same venue on November 19, where Sri Lanka will compete against Zimbabwe.
After the initial matches in Rawalpindi, the tournament will move to Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium for the remaining five games, including the final showdown on November 29.
Earlier today, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) announced their withdrawal from the tri-nation tournament following the tragic airstrikes in Paktika province by Pakistan, resulting in casualties, including three young cricketers. ACB disclosed that the players were targeted during a gathering upon returning from a cricket match in Sharana, the capital of Paktika province.
In response to the attacks, both the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) condemned the violence that claimed multiple lives. Afghanistan’s T20I captain, Rashid Khan, also criticized the attacks on social media.
The revised schedule for the Tri-Series T20I Tournament (Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe) is as follows:
– November 17: Pakistan vs. Zimbabwe, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
– November 19: Sri Lanka vs. Zimbabwe, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
– November 22: Pakistan vs. Sri Lanka, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
– November 23: Pakistan vs. Zimbabwe, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
– November 25: Sri Lanka vs. Zimbabwe, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
– November 27: Pakistan vs. Sri Lanka, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
– November 29: Final, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore