The upcoming Pakistan-England Test series is facing uncertainty due to ongoing construction work at cricket stadiums in Pakistan . The series, part of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25, is scheduled to begin with the first Test from October 7 to 11 in Multan, followed by the second Test from October 15 to 19 in Karachi, and the third from October 24 to 28 in Rawalpindi . However, the incomplete preparation of cricket stadiums has raised concerns about the feasibility of hosting the series in Pakistan.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is facing significant challenges in preparing for the series, as well as the 2025 Champions Trophy, which Pakistan is set to host ¹. The construction work in Rawalpindi, akin to ongoing projects in Lahore and Karachi, poses significant challenges for the PCB ¹. If the construction is paused to accommodate the series, it will severely impact the readiness of the stadiums for the upcoming mega-event.
Furthermore, the expected arrival of England’s Barmy Army fan group poses another logistical concern, as hosting matches without a crowd is not a feasible option . Faced with these issues, the PCB is exploring alternative venues, with the UAE being the preferred option . However, due to scheduling conflicts with the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, only Abu Dhabi is available as a potential venue in the UAE . As a result, PCB officials are also considering Sri Lanka as a possible host.
The final decision on the venue for the Pakistan-England Test series will be made after discussions with the England Cricket Board (ECB) in the coming days . The PCB is working diligently to ensure that the series goes ahead smoothly, but the uncertainty surrounding the venue has cast a shadow over the upcoming matches.
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