Pakistan will face England in a three-match Test series next month. As per the original schedule, the series opener is set to take place at Multan Cricket Stadium from October 7 onwards, and the next two matches will be played in Karachi (October 15-19) and Rawalpindi (October 24-28). But due to ongoing renovation work at the National Stadium in Karachi and Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, there were reports of the series moving out of Pakistan and taking place either in Sri Lanka or the United Arab Emirates.
However, on Saturday, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi cleared the air around the uncertainty over the venues and said that the Test series will take place in Pakistan and Multan and Rawalpindi will host the matches.
He also assured that the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is satisfied with the arrangements.
“The home Test series against England will be held in Multan and Rawalpindi,” Naqvi was quoted as saying by Cricket Pakistan. “We are in touch with the England board, and they are satisfied,” he added.
The National Stadium in Karachi was supposed to host the second Test of the two-match series between Bangladesh and Pakistan as well, but due to renovation work, the red-ball match was moved out of the iconic venue and shifted to Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
Pakistan, which suffered a shocking defeat in both Tests against Bangladesh, has dropped to No. 8 position in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) points table and can’t afford to lose any matches against England in the three-match series at home next month.
In addition to confirming the venues of the England-Pakistan series, the PCB chief also stated that the 2025 edition of the ICC Champions Trophy will take place in Pakistan.
“Champions Trophy will be held in Pakistan; we are in touch with the BCCI Secretary,” he said. “We are also in contact with the boards of the teams participating in the Champions Trophy,” he added.
A total of 8 teams are set to travel to Pakistan next year for the ICC event, which will be played across three venues from February 19 to March 9.
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