Following political instability and widespread protests in Sri Lanka, the country’s cricket governing body has shifted the second Test against Pakistan from Colombo to Galle. The decision comes after the protests which forced former President Gotabaya Rajapaksha to flee from Sri Lanka and demonstrators breached into the Prime Minister’s office last week.

“SLC arrived at this decision in order to ease out the logistical challenges faced by our stakeholders in carrying out tour related operations, due to the prevailing situation in the country,” a statement by the nation’s governing body of the sport, Sri Lanka Cricket, read.

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The Pakistan cricket team, which is scheduled to play two Test matches against Sri Lanka, have already played a practice match and is currently playing the first Test at Galle. The news of the change of venue for the upcoming Test match comes after the second day of the first, as Sri Lanka begins their second innings.

The second Test will also mark Galle International Cricket Stadium’s fourth consecutive Test match in less than one month, following two games against Australia and the ongoing one against Pakistan.

The ongoing protests against the government has forced Acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe to ask the Parliament Speaker to nominate a ‘suitable candidate’ for the next President. The military, which has already been deployed on the island nation, has urged the speaker to find a political resolution to contain the prevailing anarchy in the country.

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As things stand, the Sri Lanka parliament will hold an election to select the island nation’s next President soon.

Meanwhile, the upcoming Asia Cup 2022 is also set to be held elsewhere instead of Sri Lanka, following the financial and political crisis that has left the country in uncertainty. 

The second Test match between Sri Lanka and Pakistan begins on Sunday, July 24.