Sri Lanka-Pakistan Second Test Moved To Galle Due To Political Crisis: Report

The second Test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka, which was earlier scheduled to be played at Colombo has now been shifted to Galle due to ongoing political protests around the country. 

Sri Lanka Cricket Issues A Notice

As per reports, Sri Lanka Cricket requested the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to play the second Test in Galle owing to the political crisis and protests going on in the Island Nation.

The Pakistan Cricket Board has acknowledged the development and they have agreed to play the final Test of the series in Galle, which will kick off at the Galle International Stadium on July 24.

"This is to notify you that SLC Management jointly with PCB has decided to play the 2nd Test match of the Pakistan tour of Sri Lanka 2022 at the Galle International Cricket Stadium," Newswire.lk quoted Sri Lanka Cricket as saying. 

The sudden change in venue means Galle will end up hosting four successive Test matches, including the last two fixtures against Australia.

No Prior Disruptions

Before the Pakistan series, Sri Lanka played a two-match Test series against Pat Cummins-led Australia, which was also hosted by Galle and both of those matches progressed smoothly without any interruptions. 

During the white-ball series, two of the three T20Is, and three of the five ODIs between Australia and Sri Lanka were played in Colombo, with packed stadiums and without any trouble. 

Pakistan Trail Sri Lanka By 198 Runs On Day 1

The opening day of the first Test between two Asian sides saw the hosts dismissed for 222 after opting to bat first. Former Lankan skipper Dinesh Chandimal continued his red hot form with the willow, as he emerged the leading run-scorer for the home side, smacking 76 runs off 115 deliveries. 

For the visitors, the young pace sensation Shaheen Shah Afridi starred with the ball, picking up a four-wicket haul on Day 1. At the end of the day's play, the Babar Azam-led unit have scored 24 runs at the loss of two wickets, trailing Sri Lanka by 198 runs.  

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