The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) faces a double whammy. While they fight to secure India's participation for the Champions Trophy 2025 hosted in Pakistan, another major challenge has emerged. Hosting the upcoming Test series against England in October seems unlikely.
Pakistan Grapples with England Series Venue Amidst Scheduling Conflicts
This news comes just days after the PCB shifted the second Test against Bangladesh from Karachi to Rawalpindi due to ongoing construction work at the National Stadium in Karachi. Now, reports from CricketPakistan.com suggest the three-match Test series against England, originally scheduled for Multan, Karachi, and Rawalpindi, might be relocated entirely.
The reason for this potential shift lies in the ongoing renovation work at these stadiums in preparation for the Champions Trophy. With the venues unavailable, Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are being considered as alternative hosts for the England Test series. This unexpected development adds to the uncertainty surrounding Pakistan's cricket calendar. The PCB faces the dual challenge of ensuring smooth hosting of the Champions Trophy and finding a suitable venue for the England Test series in such a short timeframe.
Pakistan Faces Dilemma Over Champions Trophy Preparations
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) faces a difficult decision regarding the construction work at stadiums ahead of the 2025 Champions Trophy. If construction is halted during the England Test series, it will significantly jeopardize the preparedness of the venues for the mega event, scheduled from February 19 to March 9. Playing the matches without spectators is another possibility. However, with the Barmy Army, a large and passionate group of English cricket fans, planning to travel to Pakistan, this option seems unlikely. The absence of crowds would diminish the atmosphere and excitement that fans bring to cricket matches.
PCB is expected to make a final decision regarding the venue for the upcoming Test series against England within the next few days. Following discussions with the England Cricket Board (ECB), the UAE has emerged as Pakistan's preferred choice. However, a major obstacle arises due to the scheduling of the Women's T20 World Cup 2024, which is set to take place from October 3 to 20. With the Dubai and Sharjah stadiums occupied for the women's tournament, only the Abu Dhabi stadium remains available. This has prompted the PCB to consider Sri Lanka as an alternative host for the three-match Test series. The England series presents a significant challenge for Pakistan, who are currently ranked 8th in the World Test Championship table. To qualify for the final, Pakistan cannot afford any further losses. Unfortunately, their recent home record is far from impressive, with no Test wins on home soil since February 2021 and a current winless streak of 10 matches.
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