Deteriorating air quality in Lahore through the winter was cited as a major reason by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for shifting November's three T20Is versus Zimbabwe to Rawalpindi. 

Scheduled originally at the Gaddafi stadium, the three matches will now be held in Rawalpindi on November 7, 8 and 10, respectively. 

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"Following the sudden deterioration in air quality and now further expected air pollution in November, we have made a swift decision to move the matches scheduled in Lahore," PCB chief executive Wasim Khan said in a statement on Friday (October 23). 

"The early onset of hazardous pollution and subsequent poor air quality meant that the risk to keep matches in Lahore at this stage was too great."

The forced scheduling rejig also means that the remaining four Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2020 matches will now be held in Karachi. 

"For the sake of everyone involved and to ensure the remaining four matches of the HBL PSL and the three T20Is against Zimbabwe were completed without risk or interruption, it was important to move the matches," Wasim said. 

Rawalpindi was already pinned as the venue for the three ICC ODI Super League fixtures that Zimbabwe's tour will kickstart with after matches on October 30, November 1 and 3 were shifted from Multan due to logistical and operational challenges.

(Inputs from PTI)