The PCB told ESPNcricinfo the decision was not final, however, saying it was a decision for the two cricket boards

There remains confusion about the update, though. ESPNcricinfo understands* that no final decision has been taken on the change, and that this was a matter for the two boards – the PCB and Cricket Australia – and not the government to finalise.

The political atmosphere has led to both the ruling party, Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), and the opposition Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), promising to bring massive numbers in support for their respective causes towards Islamabad, which adjoins Rawalpindi.

PTI has announced it will bring one million people to D Chowk, a square in Islamabad known for hosting political rallies, on March 27 “to express solidarity with the prime minister Imran Khan”. The spot is less than two kilometres from the hotel where the two teams were expected to stay during the series. PDM has also given a call to its workers and the public at large to begin a long march towards Islamabad on Pakistan Day – March 23.

Rawalpindi was scheduled to host the three ODIs on March 29, March 31 and April 2, and a one-off T20I on April 5. The PCB is understood to be reluctant to shift venue, concerned about the message it might send to the cricketing world. It appears, though, that circumstances may well force their hand. It is not yet clear if the dates of the games will change too.

* The story was updated at 11.10am GMT on March 18, 2022.