PCB announces venue change for 2nd Pakistan-Sri Lanka Test, dates remain unchanged

Pakistan vs Sri Lanka Second Test Moved to Rawalpindi as Lahore Smog Worsens

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has moved the second Test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka from Lahore to Rawalpindi because of worsening seasonal smog in the provincial capital. The match will still be played on its original dates, November 17 to 21, 2026, with Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium now set to host the series finale.

The decision comes as Lahore’s air quality deteriorates during the winter smog season. Swiss air-monitoring company IQAir ranked the city among the world’s most polluted urban areas at the time the PCB announced the change. The move is intended to protect the health and safety of players, officials, support staff and spectators, while also helping ensure the match can be staged under more suitable conditions.

PCB confirms venue change but keeps Test dates

In a statement, the PCB said the second Test had been relocated because of prevailing conditions and rising smog levels in Lahore. Although the venue has changed, the schedule remains intact: the final match of the two-Test series is still set to begin on November 17 and conclude on November 21.

The timing of the announcement also offers a practical benefit for both teams. Pakistan and Sri Lanka are already in Rawalpindi for the opening Test, which began on November 9. With the second match now taking place at the same venue, neither side will need to travel between cities during the series. That could reduce logistical pressure and give players more time to rest and prepare between Tests.

Broadcasters were reportedly concerned that dense smog could affect television coverage in Lahore. Poor visibility can make it harder to produce clear pictures, while hazardous air conditions may complicate travel and other arrangements for production crews. The reported advice for television teams to delay travel plans added to the practical challenges of staging the match at Gaddafi Stadium.

Another setback for Lahore’s late-season cricket plans

The venue change is a blow to efforts to extend Lahore’s international cricket calendar into the later part of the year. If the Test had gone ahead at Gaddafi Stadium, it would have been the city’s first international match held after November 1 since 2007.

For the PCB, the decision highlights the growing difficulty of planning outdoor sporting events around seasonal air pollution. Lahore is a major centre for cricket in Pakistan, and losing a high-profile international fixture can affect local fans, businesses and the city’s visibility on the global sporting calendar. At the same time, moving a match away from severe smog underscores that player welfare and workable conditions must take priority when air quality becomes a serious concern.

This is not the first time pollution has prompted a change to Pakistan’s cricket schedule. In November 2020, the PCB shifted a white-ball series against Zimbabwe from Lahore to Rawalpindi amid similar air-quality concerns. A Test between Pakistan and New Zealand was also moved from Multan to Karachi in December 2022.

Comparable disruptions have occurred elsewhere in South Asia. New Delhi has faced winter pollution and low visibility severe enough to prompt changes to domestic and international cricket arrangements. These examples show how environmental conditions can influence not only match-day decisions but also the broader planning of sporting events in the region.

Pakistan make 434 before declaring in the first Test

The relocation announcement came while the teams were competing in the opening Test at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Pakistan, sent in to bat by Sri Lanka, declared their first innings at 434 for nine. Saud Shakeel led the scoring with a composed 93 from 199 deliveries, striking nine boundaries and anchoring the innings through a demanding period at the crease.

Several Pakistan batters made useful contributions. Tayyab Arif scored a brisk 57 from 51 balls, while Mohammad Taha made 51 from 105 deliveries. Captain Babar Azam added 50 off 58 balls, and Arafat Minhas contributed 52 from 72 deliveries. Their performances helped Pakistan build a substantial total, with a mix of patient batting and quicker scoring.

Sri Lanka’s leading wicket-takers were Asitha Fernando and Dilshan Madushanka, who claimed three wickets apiece. Fernando conceded 107 runs, while Madushanka gave up 108 as Pakistan’s batters steadily accumulated runs.

Sri Lanka respond as the first Test develops

In reply, Sri Lanka reached 114 for three by the end of the second day. Kamindu Mendis was unbeaten on 40, with Dhananjaya de Silva not out on 22, as the visitors looked to build a partnership and narrow Pakistan’s first-innings advantage. The state of the match remains an important part of the series narrative, with both sides seeking momentum ahead of the relocated second Test.

For fans following the Pakistan vs Sri Lanka Test series, the venue change adds a fresh storyline without altering the calendar. Rawalpindi will now host both matches, while Lahore’s worsening smog has once again brought the impact of air pollution on international sport into focus. Any prediction about the series outcome will depend on how the teams adapt to conditions and capitalize on their opportunities in the ongoing opener—and how that momentum carries into the final Test.