Second Test between Sri Lanka and Pakistan moved to Galle

The second Test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka will be moved from Colombo to Galle*, owing to the possibility of political demonstrations in the island's capital.

While at no stage have cricket matches been threatened by the large-scale civil unrest seen in Sri Lanka over the last few months, and particularly in the past week, there are fears that masses descending on Colombo's streets again may create logistical challenges for a Test match.

Galle itself had seen a large protest on July 9, on the second day of the second Test between Australia and Sri Lanka. However, the crowds seen there were not extraordinary in scale, as had been the case in Colombo.

Sri Lanka Cricket has been at pains to point out that the island remained a viable cricket destination, even as they prepare to host a Lanka Premier League in the first few weeks of August, followed by an Asia Cup featuring nine teams.

There have been international matches in Colombo recently. Two of the three T20Is, and three of the ODIs from the Australia tour were all played at Khettarama stadium. While those games were almost uniformly well-attended, and went off as usual, the scale of the political demonstrations has increased substantially in Colombo since then. Khettarama was scheduled to host the second Test against Pakistan but if it shifts to Galle, this would be the third successive home Test series to be played exclusively at the venue.

* This story was updated at 15:43 GMT after SLC confirmed the change in venue