New Delhi
Pakistan team will play both the matches of the Test series against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi Stadium only. PCB was forced to take this decision. Earlier the second match of this series was to be held in Lahore, but due to heavy smog in Lahore the weather is not favorable for Test cricket. For this reason, the second match of the series will also be played in Rawalpindi. Right here, the first test is currently being played. The third day's play continues, both teams are on par.
Due to continuously increasing smog and poor air quality in Lahore, Pakistan Cricket Board has decided to change the venue of the second test match. Earlier this match was to be played at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, but now it will be held in Rawalpindi. However, no change has been made in the date of the match.
Second test will be played from 17th November
The second match of the two-match Test series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka will be played from 17 to 21 November. Earlier this match was to be held in Lahore, but now Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium will host it. The smog problem has become serious in Lahore with the onset of winter. The air quality of the city is continuously deteriorating. According to the report of news agency AP, Punjab Environment Protection Agency had recorded Lahore's air quality index at 421, which falls in the category of very poor and hazardous to health. At the same time, according to IQAir data, Lahore is among the most polluted big cities in the world.
Broadcasters also expressed concern
In view of the severe smog situation in Lahore, broadcasters had also expressed concern about telecasting the match there. Visibility and broadcast quality were expected to be affected during the match due to bad wind. For this reason, questions started being raised regarding organizing the second Test in Lahore. The PCB finally decided to shift the match to Rawalpindi.
The venue has already changed due to pollution
This is not the first case of changing the venue of cricket matches due to smog in Pakistan. In the year 2020, some matches of the ODI series between Pakistan and Zimbabwe were shifted from Lahore to Rawalpindi. At the same time, the Test match between Pakistan and New Zealand to be held in December 2022 was also shifted from Multan to Karachi due to poor air quality.