The venue for the second Test match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka has been changed. Citing rising smog and poor air quality in Lahore, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to move the match from Lahore to Rawalpindi. The match will now be played at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. However, there has been no change in the dates of the match.
According to an official PCB statement, the second Test was earlier scheduled to be held from November 17 to 21 at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium. It will now be played in Rawalpindi from November 17 to 21 as per the original schedule. Following the decision, both matches of the two-Test series will be played in Rawalpindi. The first Test is also underway at the same venue.
With the onset of winter in Lahore, the seasonal smog problem has become severe. The city’s worsening air quality had raised concerns over players, spectators and match-related arrangements. According to the Punjab Environmental Protection Agency, the city’s air quality index had reached 421, which is considered hazardous.
This is not the first time cricket matches in Pakistan have been shifted because of pollution. In 2020, limited-overs series matches between Pakistan and Zimbabwe were also moved from Lahore to Rawalpindi due to smog.
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