PCB Confirms Venues For England vs Pakistan Test Series, Matches To Be Played In...

PCB Confirms Venues For England vs Pakistan Test Series, Matches To Be Played In... (Source: AP)

The Pakistan Cricket Board ( PCB ) has confirmed that Multan and Rawalpindi will host the three-match Test series against England. Speculations were rife that the series could be shifted out of Pakistan given the undergoing construction work at venues due to the ICC Champions Trophy .

The uncertainty surrounding the venues left the England coach Brendon McCullum frustrated who said it will be tough for England to pick a squad unless there is more clarity on where the series will 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,” he said. “It would be nice if, over the next couple of days, we found out.”

PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi addressed the rumours and said that the series won't be moved out of Pakistan. He also said that ECB is satisfied with the arrangements.

“The home Test series against England will be held in Multan and Rawalpindi,” Naqvi said as quoted by tribune.pk.

Meanwhile, Naqvi also said that the Champions Trophy will be played in Pakistan. There are doubts about the tournament venue given India's hesitation in touring Pakistan, however, Naqvi said that the PCB is in touch with BCCI secretary Jay Shah and other participating boards, saying the board is firm on hosting the tournament 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 said. “We are in touch with the England board and they are satisfied,” he added.

The England series gets underway on October 7. This is a vital series for Pakistan in terms of their WTC final qualification scenario. If they can beat England 3-0 and then pull off an upset against South Africa, they can have an outside chance.

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