New Delhi: Multan and Rawalpindi will be hosts for the upcoming test series against England. The news was confirmed by the present PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi. Naqvi’s spokesperson Mohammad Rafiullah confirmed the news to ESPNcricinfo. Multan and Rawalpindi have been chosen as the official venues of the test till now as the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore is undergoing renovation.
However, things are not going in favour of PCB in hosting the upcoming test series. Multiple construction works in cricket stadiums across Pakistan mean the authorities do not have the full infrastructural backup at their disposal. Furthermore, things get complicated with the Shanghai Corporation Organisation (SCO) meeting which is scheduled to take place in Islamabad from October 15-16.
This means that Rawalpindi gets ruled out directly as the 2nd test venue owing to the high security that will be there due to the SCO meeting. The PCB has, however, not said anything about the detailed plan for the upcoming test series.
Problems outside Venue selection…
Pakistan Cricket Board has however things to sort out outside their ‘venue problem’. The national team looks in peril with a 2-0 drubbing against Bangladesh. Added to that the dressing rumours are also becoming an untreated wound for head coach Jason Gillespie.
Read more: Bangladesh create history in Rawalpindi; complete 2-0 series whitewash against Pakistan
On the other hand, the Masood-Babar-Shaheen conflict trio has captured the attention of pundits and former Pakistani players. Babar’s batting worries continue to put the team in a tight spot. The good thing is Babar last scored a century against England only back in 2022.
So it is a good time to bring back those voodoo luck and start from scratch. Gillespie however, has a lot of tasks at hand as he needs to sort out his playing XI as well as bury these unnecessary feuds to ensure a smooth flow of command.
England tour of Pakistan- Schedule of Test Series
Pakistan is set to play three tests against England beginning from 7th October. Given below are the three tests scheduled to take place in Rawalpindi and Multan-
- 1st Test- Pakistan vs England- October 7, Monday, 10:30 AM/ 5:00 AM (GMT)/ 10:00 AM (local time)
- 2nd Test- Pakistan vs England- October 15, Tuesday, 10:30 AM/ 5:00 AM (GMT)/ 10:00 AM (local time)
- 3rd Test- Pakistan vs England- October 24, Thursday, 10:30 AM/ 5:00 AM (GMT)/ 10:00 AM (local time)