New Delhi: Still reeling from the disastrous home Test series defeat against Bangladesh, Pakistan cricket is facing fresh concerns ahead of their next home assignment in October. Pakistan are scheduled to play England in a three-Test series from October 7 with Multan, Karachi and Rawalpindi being selected as the venues to host the matches.
But the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi revealed on Friday that the international cricket department is yet to finalise the itinerary, an unnecessary delay that has left him frustrated.
“With less than a month remaining for the first Test, the international department is yet to even decide where the first match would be held,” an insider confided to PTI.
Turbulent times for Pakistan cricket
All the selected venues are undergoing construction work ahead of next year’s ICC Champions Trophy which has raised doubts around the availability of the stadiums there.
The department is yet to formally announce the tour itinerary.
So much so, that a proposal was made to move the Test series to UAE or South Africa, which Naqvi shot down swiftly.
The PCB insider also revealed that the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and the Barmy Army members are confused and anxious about the venue for the first Test.
“The Chairman is not happy because the more the announcement of venues and itinerary is delayed the more it affects the board’s revenue generation opportunities from the three matches,” the insider said.
Due to the delay, the broadcasters are facing difficulties in selling the telecast rights of the series abroad.
Pakistan would hope to avoid a second successive Test series whitewash when they face Brendon McCullum’s England. The Men in Green suffered a humiliating 0-2 defeat against Bangladesh, losing a Test and eventually the series for the first time against their neighbours after suffering back-to-back losses in Rawalpindi.
The Three Lions will tour Pakistan on the back of a successful home summer which ended with a 2-1 victory against Sri Lanka. England’s last visit to Pakistan in 2022 resulted in a 3-0 series win for the visitors.
After the Bangladesh Test series debacle, Pakistan Cricket Board is facing fresh concerns ahead of high-profile England Test series in October. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
