LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has moved the second Test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka to Rawalpindi due to worsening smog, keeping the November 17–21 schedule.
Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium will replace Gaddafi Stadium as the venue. Both matches of the two-Test series will therefore take place at the same ground.
A PCB spokesperson attributed the decision to prevailing weather conditions and rising smog levels in Lahore. The board confirmed that the relocation would not alter the fixture dates.
Pakistan and Sri Lanka are already contesting the opening Test in Rawalpindi, where play began on Monday. The series forms part of the International Cricket Council (ICC) World Test Championship 2025–27.
At Tuesday’s close, Sri Lanka trailed by 320 runs after reaching 114-3 in 27.1 overs. Pakistan had earlier declared at 434-9 after batting for 106.3 overs.
Saud Shakeel led the home side’s scoring with 93, while debutants Tayyab Arif, Mohammad Taha and Arafat Minhas each contributed half-centuries. Captain Babar Azam also reached fifty.
Pakistan’s bowlers then reduced Sri Lanka to 12-2 before the visitors began rebuilding. Debutant Saqib Khan took two wickets, while Mohammad Abbas claimed the other.
Read More: Cricket Australia Rejects New Probe After Warner’s Claims
Kamindu Mendis and Dhananjaya de Silva put together an unbeaten 49-run fourth-wicket partnership. Mendis finished the day on 40, with de Silva on 22.
However, bad light curtailed play for the second consecutive day, leaving Sri Lanka with seven first-innings wickets in hand.
