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Pakistan's emergency has started affecting domestic cricket, forcing the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to change the venues of several President Cup matches. Fixtures originally scheduled in Peshawar and Abbottabad have been shifted to Sheikhupura and Lahore amid security concerns in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
PCB Shifts President Cup Matches After Emergency in Pakistan
The President Cup, a first-class domestic cricket tournament in Pakistan, began on September 12 and is scheduled to continue until October 24. However, recent political and administrative developments in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have forced the PCB to revise the venues for some matches.
Under the revised arrangements, matches scheduled in Peshawar and Abbottabad will now be played at alternative venues in Sheikhupura and Lahore. The changes follow the declaration of an emergency and the imposition of governor's rule in the province.
Meanwhile, matches scheduled in Islamabad and Rawalpindi will continue according to the original programme. No venue changes have been announced for these fixtures.
Why Has Pakistan Declared an Emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa?
The emergency has been linked to an increase in terrorist attacks and growing security concerns in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. According to reports, Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari invoked Articles 232(1) and 234(1) of the country's Constitution in connection with the emergency and governor's rule.
The worsening security situation has raised concerns about the functioning of the local administration. These developments have also affected sporting arrangements, prompting the PCB to move selected matches to other cities.
President Cup 2026: PCB Revises Match Schedule for October 19
The PCB has also revised the schedule for the final round of the President Cup. According to ESPNcricinfo, the final-round matches are set to begin on October 19 under the updated programme.
One match will be played at the Lahore City Cricket Association (LCCA) Ground. Meanwhile, Hyderabad Kingsmen Academy will face State Bank of Pakistan at the National Cricket Ground in Islamabad.
The revised schedule is part of the arrangements made to continue the tournament despite the security concerns affecting Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
President Cup Venues Changed: Lahore and Sheikhupura to Host Matches
Following the PCB's decision, selected fixtures have been moved from Peshawar and Abbottabad to Sheikhupura and Lahore. Both cities will host matches that were originally scheduled in the affected region.
Islamabad and Rawalpindi will continue to host their scheduled games without changes to their venues. The revised arrangements are expected to help the tournament proceed according to the updated schedule.
Pakistan's Security Crisis Impacts Domestic Cricket Tournament
The President Cup is a first-class domestic cricket competition that has been part of Pakistan's cricket calendar for around two decades. It provides opportunities for domestic teams and players to compete at a high level.
The latest venue changes highlight how political and security developments can affect sporting events. With the PCB relocating selected matches and revising the final-round schedule, attention will now turn to the remaining fixtures of the tournament, which is scheduled to run until October 24.
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