Afghanistan's match in Abbottabad moved to Islamabad

The third one-dayer between Afghanistan and Pakistan A, has been moved from Abbottabad to the country's capital Islamabad. Abbottabad, a regular venue for first-class matches in Pakistan, attained international significance on May 2, following a US military operation in the town that culminated in the killing of Osama bin Laden.

"The itinerary has been revised and now the Abbottabad match will be played in Islamabad on May 25," the Pakistan Cricket Board said in a release. No official reason was given for the decision which was taken at a meeting on Thursday between PCB chairman Ijaz Butt and interior minister Rehman Malik. The rescheduled match will now be the series opener, and will be followed by games in Rawalpindi and Faisalabad, on May 27 and 29 respectively.

Afghanistan are set to become the first international team to tour Pakistan since militants attacked the Sri Lankan team in Lahore in March 2009. The Afghan side, coached by former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif, will arrive in Islamabad on May 24. Afghanistan has made rapid strides in international cricket, progressing in 2009 from ICC Division Five to Division One and securing one-day status the same year. They also won the ICC Intercontinental Cup in 2010, and qualified for the 2010 World Twenty20 in the West Indies.