Pakistan-England series faces relocation due to stadium renovations

LAHORE: The Pakistan-England cricket series, part of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25, may be relocated from Pakistan to a neutral venue due to ongoing renovations at local stadiums.

The series, which is set to commence on October 7 with the first Test in Multan, followed by matches in Karachi and Rawalpindi, faces significant logistical challenges. Ongoing construction and scheduling conflicts may lead to the series being moved to UAE or Sri Lanka.

Construction work in Rawalpindi, as well as ongoing projects in Lahore and Karachi, has raised concerns about the readiness of the stadiums. These renovations are part of Pakistan’s preparations to host the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, and delaying or pausing the work to accommodate the series could jeopardise preparations for the mega event. The situation is further complicated by the anticipated arrival of England’s Barmy Army fan group, making it impractical to host matches without spectators. With these factors in mind, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is considering alternative venues.

The primary alternative location under consideration is the United Arab Emirates (UAE). However, the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, scheduled to be held in Dubai and Sharjah from October 3 to 20, overlaps with the dates of the Pakistan-England series. This scheduling conflict leaves Abu Dhabi as the only potential venue in the UAE. In light of these issues, PCB officials are also exploring the possibility of hosting the series in Sri Lanka. Discussions are ongoing with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), and a final decision is expected in the coming days. A PCB official said that with construction delays and logistical hurdles, the PCB is working to finalise alternative arrangements to ensure the successful completion of the series.