Three Test Series Against England
Lahore, Pakistan – PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has ensured all three matches of Pakistan’s upcoming Test series against England will take place inside the country this October. After visiting the ongoing renovation work in progress at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, Naqvi told waiting reporters the cities of Multan and Rawalpindi would host the series while Karachi had been excluded on account of renovation work still in progress there.
This announcement has come against the backdrop of uncertainty over the venues due to construction at various cricket stadiums in the country. Both Multan and Rawalpindi have been confirmed as venues after the England and Wales Cricket Board showed satisfaction with the facilities. Mohammad Rafiullah, a spokesperson of Naqvi, also corroborated the confirmation of the ECB, saying the preparations for the series were going smoothly.
Karachi, which was originally to host the second Test, got clobbered off due to major renovations that are ongoing at the National Stadium there. Furthermore, all arrangements will be tightened up for a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation meeting to be held in Islamabad on 15-16th October, which is likely to rule out Rawalpindi as the venue for the second Test. “Due to one-day heavy summit, security, and operational difficulties, it would be impossible to manage the Test Match in the twin city,”.
The PCB had considered holding one of the Tests in Abu Dhabi since the construction work may affect their plans. Remarks from PCB Chairman Naqvi, however, indicate that the entire series will be held in Pakistan, thus ending speculation that one of the matches would be shifted abroad. Abu Dhabi was the favorite next option, given that Pakistan played home Tests abroad in the UAE from 2009 to 2018 before returning home.
Although Naqvi’s statement suggests a fairly clear intention for the series to remain entirely domestic, as yet the PCB has not officially announced which of the three Tests will be held at which venue. The need to confirm the venues has become increasingly pressing since it is likely there will be a substantial contingent of English supporters traveling for the series. Logistical arrangements – including fan accommodation and, importantly security measures – cannot be fully put in place until venues are confirmed.
England head coach Brendon McCullum has also highlighted the merits of knowing in advance which venues would host the games, as that will enable them to select a squad suited to conditions. England will reach Pakistan on October 2. The first Test is slated to begin on October 7.
The PCB will officially make the confirmed schedule public in the coming days.
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Jawad Shah