The uncertainty around the venues for Pakistan's upcoming Test series against England has been a topic of concern, with rumors suggesting that the matches could be shifted to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
This speculation arose due to ongoing renovations at key stadiums in Pakistan, including Lahore and Karachi, which initially raised doubts about hosting the series in the country.
However, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has now put these rumors to rest, confirming that the three-match Test series will indeed take place in Pakistan, with Multan and Rawalpindi as the selected venues.
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What were the concerns from England's camp?
England's head coach, Brendon McCullum, had previously voiced his frustration regarding the uncertainty over the venues.
With the series set to begin on October 7, the delay in finalizing the location had hindered the team's preparation. McCullum mentioned the difficulty of picking a squad without knowing where the matches would be played.
“We don’t really know what is happening in Pakistan, but we can’t pick a team until we know where we’re going to play,” McCullum had remarked.
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How did the PCB respond to the concerns?
In response to these concerns, Naqvi assured that the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is satisfied with the arrangements. He reiterated that the series will be hosted in Pakistan, with both teams ready to proceed.
“The home Test series against England will be held in Multan and Rawalpindi,” Naqvi stated. He also added that the ECB is pleased with the PCB’s preparations for the series, which is part of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25.
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