PCB announces the schedule for Sri Lanka series, Lahore to host 3rd T20I

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the schedule for the home series against Sri Lanka which comprises of 2 Tests, 5 ODIs and 3 T20Is. Interestingly, the third T20 International will be played at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore which is also set to host the Independence Cup next week. Pakistan will play three T20 Internationals against the World XI side from 12 September to 15 September.

Sri Lanka, on the other hand, has already named the 25 men provisional squad for the series. Their cricket went to a new low when they were whitewashed by the visiting Indian team across all formats. The team from island nation lost the Test series 3-0, ODI series 5-0 and the only T20I to India. Prior to that, they had also lost an ODI series to Zimbabwe by 3-2 following which Angelo Mathews stepped down from captaincy.

Tour to begin from September 28

Sri Lanka is expected to reach the United Arab Emirates in the third week of this month. The first Test of the two match Test series is scheduled to start on 28th September in Abu Dhabi. The second Test match will be played under lights in Dubai which begins from October 6. This will be Sri Lanka’s first Day-Night Test while Pakistan have experienced it twice before, once against West Indies in Dubai and then in against Australia at the Gabba.

There is no respite for the players as the ODI series kicks off after a 2-day break after the Test series on 13th October. For second and third One Day Internationals, teams will travel to Abu Dhabi again as they will be played on 16 and 18 October respectively. Sharjah will host the last couple of ODIs as the 50-over competition will end on 23rd of October.

The shortest format will be played in a hurry as the three T20Is will be played in a space of a day each on 26, 27 and 29 October respectively. The first couple of matches are scheduled to be played in Abu Dhabi and the final game will be played in Lahore subject to proper security. All the matches of the tour apart from the first Test match would be played under lights.

If Independence Cup is organised successfully without any unfortunate incidents, then the game will surely be played in Pakistan as more teams might then visit the country to play cricket.

The schedule for Sri Lanka series: