New Delhi . Pakistan has also been forced to change the venue of the cricket match due to poor air quality. Like India, now in Pakistan too the effect of pollution and poisonous smog is visible on cricket. The second match of the two-match Test series being played between Pakistan and Sri Lanka was to be held at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, but in view of the very poor air quality of Lahore, it has been decided to shift this match to Rawalpindi. The special thing is that the first test of the series is also being played in Rawalpindi. In such a situation, the second match will also be held on the same ground.
The smog situation in Lahore is very bad these days. Between October and December, the problem of pollution and smog increases in many parts of India and Pakistan, but this time the situation in Lahore has increased the concern. On November 10, Lahore's air quality reached very poor levels. According to data from IQAir, a Swiss technology company that monitors air quality, at that time Lahore was at the top among the most polluted cities in the world. Bad air is not only affecting the common people but also the players and cricket related activities.
Broadcasters had also expressed concern about organizing the Test match in Lahore. According to the report, the broadcast quality of the match could have been affected due to bad smog. Due to dense pollution, it can be difficult to take clear pictures from cameras and the visuals of the match on TV can also be affected. For this reason the broadcasters were asked not to go to Lahore. After this, the option of shifting the match to another place became stronger for the Pakistan Cricket Board.
PCB wanted that after a long time, an international match should be organized in Lahore after 1st November. This was expected to happen for the first time since 2007 but poor air quality spoiled the plans of Pakistan Cricket Board. A Test match can last for five days and during this time the players have to remain on the field continuously. In such a situation, extremely bad air can affect the health and performance of the players. For this reason the risk of holding the match in Lahore was not taken.
Pakistan has already changed the venue of matches due to smog. In November 2020, the white ball series between Pakistan and Zimbabwe was shifted from Lahore to Rawalpindi. Apart from this, the Test match against New Zealand in December 2022 was also shifted from Multan to Karachi due to air quality related conditions. That means pollution and smog are no longer a new challenge for Pakistan cricket.
There has been no change in the dates of the second Test against Sri Lanka. The match is to be played between 17 and 21 November. At present, the first test between the two teams is going on in Rawalpindi which will end on 13 November. After this, both the teams will remain in Rawalpindi for the second test also.
Interestingly, in India too the venue of the cricket match has been changed due to pollution. The ODI match between India and Sri Lanka to be held on December 13 in Delhi has been shifted to Visakhapatnam. In this way, poor air quality in both India and Pakistan seems to be affecting the international cricket schedule.