PCB's Mohsin Naqvi forced to change Tri Series schedule after Sri Lankan resistance

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced changes to the schedule of the ongoing three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka and the upcoming T20I Tri-Nation Tournament featuring Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Zimbabwe in the wake of a suicide bombing in Islamabad.

The deadly suicide blast killed 12 people and injured 27 outside a district court in Islamabad. The explosion happened on Tuesday afternoon when the area was crowded with people. Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif reportedly linked the Islamabad attack to “Indian state terrorism.”

PCB moves all matches to Rawalpindi following the Islamabad suicide attack

After the suicide bombing in Islamabad, several Sri Lankan players decided to end the Pakistan tour midway due to safety concerns, but the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) ordered them to complete the series, as they would be provided top-class security throughout their stay in the country.

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Fear among the touring side prompted the PCB to make changes in the schedule, as Pakistan and Sri Lanka were scheduled to play their second ODI on November 13, which is now moved to November 14, with the final game on November 16 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

The PCB said that the decision was made after discussions with Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) and Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) to make the fixtures more convenient for teams and organizers. Earlier, the Sri Lankan team was staying in Islamabad, but after the blast, both sides will now stay in Rawalpindi for the rest of the series for better security management.

PCB revises fixtures after Islamabad bombing

Meanwhile, the T20I Tri-Nation Series will also be held entirely in Rawalpindi. The tournament will begin on November 18 and conclude with the final on November 29.

T20I Tri-Nation Series will serve as a valuable build-up to the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, giving all three teams a chance to test their combinations and form ahead of the global tournament.

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The PCB said in a media release, “Under the revised schedule, the remaining ODI matches between Pakistan and Sri Lanka will now be played on 14th and 16th November, 2025, at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium (RCS), while the T20i Tri-Nation Tournament shall now completely be played in Rawalpindi, commencing 18th November, with the final scheduled for 29 November 2025.”

The revised schedule of Tri-nation series.

- All matches shifted to Rawalpindi. pic.twitter.com/NTJes2albV

— Sheri. (@CallMeSheri1_) November 13, 2025

Army and Rangers deployed to guard the Sri Lanka team amid security fears

On the other hand, a special meeting was held in Islamabad between the Sri Lankan High Commissioner, Admiral (retired) Fred Seneviratne, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi, and top government officials to review the situation.

Pakistan assured that the Sri Lankan players and staff are being treated as state guests and that strict security arrangements have been made around their hotels, practice sessions, and stadiums. Naqvi also met the Sri Lankan team personally to make sure they felt safe and comfortable.

After reviewing the new measures, the Sri Lankan officials said they were satisfied with the arrangements, allowing the ODI series to move forward smoothly. The source was quoted as saying by PTI: “Security has been beefed up with the Pakistan Army and the paramilitary rangers now deputed to monitor the visiting players and officials.”