Watch: Venue for Pakistan-Australia ODIs relocated on ‘political’ grounds

ISLAMABAD: Because of domestic politics, three ODIs and a T20I match between Pakistan and the visiting Australians will be relocated from Rawalpindi to Lahore later this month, according to the interior minister.

The Australians are on their first visit to the country in nearly a quarter-century, after initially declining to travel due to security concerns.

Since their arrival last month, the team has received no severe threats, but in the following days and weeks, several political events — both for and against the government — are scheduled in the adjacent capital.

During political demonstrations, hundreds of thousands of people might converge on the city, clogging traffic and posing security issues for officials.

Both teams were scheduled to stay in Islamabad, which is only a short drive from Rawalpindi, a much larger garrison city.

“The matches are being shifted to Lahore because of political activities in the capital,” Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmad said at a news conference.

The Australian team’s official stated that they were unconcerned about the move.

“In many ways it suits both teams as it means one less movement for players and officials,” he said.

Since a deadly terror attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore in 2009, Pakistan has struggled to lure visiting teams.

Pakistan appeared to have satisfied international cricket authorities last year, with both New Zealand and England slated to tour. Pakistan had been obliged to play their home games abroad, largely in the United Arab Emirates.

However, the Black Caps abruptly left in September, only minutes before their first match, citing security concerns, and England’s men’s and women’s teams both postponed tours shortly after.

Pakistani cricket supporters have greeted the Australian team on their visit, with the third round of the three-match series set to begin in Lahore on Monday.

The first two games ended in a tie.

Before the Australians depart on April 6, the teams will play three ODIs and one T20I match.

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