PCB Chief Confirms Multan & Rawalpindi as Venues for-England Test Series
In a recent, cricket fans & players alike breathe a sigh of relief. Moh Naqvi, the Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board PCB has confirmed the much-awaited Test series between Pakistan & England will go on as planned. Yes, Multan & Rawalpindi will be hosting the matches! This clears up concerns about changing venues due to ongoing renovations at major stadiums in Pakistan.
Venue Uncertainty Addressed
The three-match Test series was meant to kick off on October 7. But, there were whispers in the media suggesting it might get moved to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) because of big renovations going on at key cricketing spots in Pakistan. This had fans and players worried.
England’s head coach, Brendon McCullum, even voiced his annoyance about not knowing what was happening. “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. It’d be nice if, over the next couple of days, we found out,” he said at The Oval before England’s third Test against Sri Lanka.
A Clear Word from PCB Chairman
To ease those worries, Mohsin Naqvi stepped up with some solid reassurance. During a recent press conference, he confirmed that the Test series will indeed take place in Pakistan. “The home Test series against England will be held in Multan and Rawalpindi,” Naqvi said. This means everything’s good to go! Matches will follow their original schedule so both teams can prepare without any hiccups.
Naqvi added that the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is pleased with how things are set up. “We are in touch with the England board, and they are satisfied,” he mentioned. This shows PCB’s commitment to keeping international cricket rolling in Pakistan.
Series Dates & ICC World Test Championship
The Pakistan-England Test series is part of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25, with games lined up from October 7 to 28. This series means a lot for both teams since they’re battling for points in this ongoing championship, which will help decide who goes to the WTC final.
What About ICC Champions Trophy?
Besides confirming the Test series, Naqvi also touched on future cricket events. He confidently shared that Pakistan will host the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, even though there’s some uncertainty about India joining in. The Champions Trophy is planned for February to March 2025.
Naqvi made it clear that PCB is actively talking with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) & other boards involved. “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 teams joining in on the Champions Trophy,” he added.
A Bright Future Ahead
The word that Multan & Rawalpindi will be hosting the Pakistan-England Test series is great news for cricket lovers everywhere! This not only means things will go ahead as planned but also shows why Pakistan remains an important spot for international cricket. Fans can get excited for an action-packed series featuring amazing cricket talent from all over.
With PCB’s dedication to hosting big events like this one and the ICC Champions Trophy coming up soon, it looks like cricket’s future in Pakistan is bright! The upcoming matches & future tournaments promise to keep fans excited & contribute lots to the sport’s global appeal.