England Arrives in Pakistan for First T20I Series in 17 Years
England's visit to Karachi tomorrow—their first tour of Pakistan in 17 years—will set the Pakistan International home season in motion. The English side will play as many as seven T20 Internationals, the first starting on March 14 in Karachi.
England captain Jos Buttler will also chat with the media upon his arrival at 2:00 pm at a local hotel in Karachi. Pakistan will start their preparation on September 17 with the team's first training session at the National Stadium on September 16 at 7:00 pm.
The series will begin with four matches in Karachi between September 20 and 25 before the final three fixtures are shifted to Lahore from September 28 to October 2.
ISLAMABAD (Web Desk)—Mohsin Naqvi, Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), on Thursday explained the uncertainty over the venues for the three-match Test series between the national team and England starting October 13. The series, which was to start on October 7, was likely to be rescheduled, and if the reports in electronic media were true, the UAE would be the new venue, as principal cricket grounds such as those in Pakistan are under renovation.
Brendon McCullum, the England head coach, speaks during a press conference on the eve of their third test against Sri Lanka at the Oval. "We're unsure at the moment (what will happen in Pakistan), but we can't select a team until we know where we'll be playing," he said. "St, it would be great to find out in the next two days."
In a Twitter post, Naqvi addressed the concern but confirmed that the team will play the Test series in Pakistan, with matches slated for Multan and Rawalpindi. He also said the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) was happy with "our processes." "The Test series against England will be held in Multan and Rawalpindi," said Naqvi.
On the other hand, he also said, "We have been in touch with the England board, and they are satisfied." The WTC 2023-25 cycle will see both teams locking horns in a series running from October 7-28. He declared that Pakistan will also stage the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, although India's foray into the event remains controversial. The event will take place in February-March 2025, but India may not be featured as the BCCI awaits clearance from the government for the team's visit.
England had been seeking more details for their Test tour of Pakistan due to reports that some matches could be moved to other locations. This is worrying stuff caused by the current construction at the slated venues for this series. According to media reports, the dates of the three-test series, which will begin on October 7 in Dubai, may be changed.
As England heads to Pakistan, the first test will take place in Multan, followed by two further tests in Karachi and Rawalpindi. Options include moving one or more games to the United Arab Emirates or Sri Lanka. The company has kept the matter pending and is waiting for more information before making a decision.