January 3, 2006	Tuesday	Zilhaj 2, 1426

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LAHORE, Jan 2: The first One-day International between Pakistan and India in Peshawar will now be played on Feb 6 instead of Feb 8, according to the revised itinerary announced by the PCB on Monday.

Interestingly, the schedule was announced only three days before the Indian team’s arrival here on Thursday to play three Tests and five ODIs.

The change in the dates for Peshawar’s match was made due to ‘Ashura’. Similarly, the second One-day which was scheduled for Feb 6 at Rawalpindi will now be played on Feb 11.

Earlier, it had been proposed by the local administration of Rawalpindi to shift the match to any other city to avoid any security lapses as two main events (Ashura and match) on the same day could create administrative problems.

The Indians will start their tour with a three-day match at Bagh-i-Jinnah Lahore from Jan 7. The first Test will be held at Qadhafi Stadium, Lahore from Jan 13 to 17. Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad will host the second Test from Jan 21 to 25 while National Stadium, Karachi is the venue for the third and final Test scheduled for Jan 29 to Feb 2.

Only two ODIs — Lahore and Multan — will be day/night fixtures, according to the PCB press release.

Surprisingly, the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium despite having the floodlights, will host a day match.

However, a source in the PCB offices told Dawn that the match at Rawalpindi would be a day/night fixture. As the Indian team has to leave for India the same evening after playing the fifth ODI at Karachi on Feb 19, hence, it will also be a day’s fixture. Peshawar will host a day’s fixture as there are no floodlights at Arbab Niaz Stadium.

Multan will host its first-ever day/night fixture since the floodlights are being installed at the Multan Cricket Stadium.

Revised itinerary:

Jan 7-9: Three-day match (Bagh-e-Jinnah, Lahore).

Jan 13-17: First Test (Qadhafi Stadium, Lahore).

Jan 21-25: Second Test (Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad.

Jan 29-Feb 2: Third Test (National Stadium, Karachi).

Feb 6: 1st One-day International (Arbab Niaz Stadium, Peshawar).

Feb 11: Second One-day International (Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium).

Feb 13: Third One-day International (Qadhafi Stadium, Lahore, D/N).

Feb 16: Fourth One-day (Multan Cricket Stadium, D/N).

Feb 19: Fifth One-day International (National Stadium, Karachi).