KARACHI - The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) today announced minor changes to the schedule of the Test series against Australia which has been shifted to Sri Lanka and Sharjah because of security fears.

The first Test will now be played in Colombo from October 3-7, a day before the earlier announced date of October 4.

The PCB will announce the venue for the first Test after consultation with the Sri Lankan board.

The remaining two Tests will be played in Sharjah, the second from October 11-15 and the third from October 19-23.

The PCB said the adjustments had been made after the Australian Cricket Board asked for three-day rests between matches.

Pakistan was forced to shift the series to neutral venues after Australia pulled out of their planned tour due to security concerns in Pakistan.

New Zealand cut short its tour of Pakistan in May when a bomb went off outside their hotel in Karachi on the morning of the second Test.

Fourteen people were killed in the attack.

Tour program (revised)

October 3-7 First Test - Colombo, Sri Lanka

October 11-15 Second Test - Sharjah

October 19-23 Third Test - Sharjah

© 2002 AAP

This report does not necessarily represent the views of the Australian Cricket Board.