LAHORE, Sept 22: Two bomb blasts and heavy rains forced the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to shift Friday’s opening one-dayer between ‘A’ teams of Pakistan and Australia ‘A’ from Bagh-i-Jinnah to Qadhafi Stadium. As a result of heavy rains in the morning, PCB had sent all necessary equipment to dry out the Bagh-i-Jinnah outfield in time for the match.

But soon afterwards, the news of bomb blasts created panic in the city and forced the PCB to shift the match to Qadhafi Stadium for security reasons.

Reuters adds: Although an official of the PCB said the match had been shifted due to heavy rain, team sources said the Australians had asked for the change of venue.

“The Australians held a meeting with PCB official Zakir Khan following the bomb blasts today. They had concerns over the safety of their players for the match,” a Pakistan team source said.

He said as a result of negotiations it was decided that the board could provide better security at the enclosed and heavily manned Qadhafi Stadium, which also houses the PCB headquarters.

Pakistan ‘A’ coach Haroon Rasheed confirmed the match had been shifted but declined to comment on the reasons.