PAK vs ENG: PCB struggles to finalize Test series schedule, venue issues create tension with ECB

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is facing massive challenges in finalizing the schedule for the upcoming Test series against the England National Cricket Team. As per the reports in Cricket Pakistan, it is learned that the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has also been frustrated by the same.

Amid all the criticism, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) reportedly has assured that they will be releasing the final schedule for the series in the next 24 to 48 hours. This is happening because there is construction work going on in the stadiums across Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

England National Cricket Team are all set to tour Pakistan for the three-match Test series in October. As per the initial schedule, the first Test was to be played in Multan from October 7 to 11, the second in Karachi from October 15 to 19, and the third in Rawalpindi from October 24 to 28. The games will also be part of the ICC World Test Championship.

However, the havoc has been created because of the construction work going on in the Karachi stadium. This has made things challenging for the Pakistan Cricket Board as Karachi is no longer in a position to host the game and announcing the alternate schedule has been tough for them as well.

The reports also claimed that things have got worse for the Pakistan Cricket Board because of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, which is scheduled to be held in Islamabad on October 15 and 16, a time when the second game between the teams is slated to take place.

Heads of state from various countries will be attending the summit, which no doubt will have high-security arrangements in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. As a result, hosting the second Test in Rawalpindi during this period is no longer feasible, making things more complicated for the Pakistan Cricket Board.

With the schedule getting delayed, ECB, along with the Barmy Army, have expressed their frustration over the same. This is because they are left with limited time to arrange travel and accommodation for the series. There were reports about PCB moving series to Sri Lanka or UAE, but chairman Mohsin Naqvi quashed all the reports.

PCB considering hosting both the first and second Test matches in Multan or moving the first and third matches to Rawalpindi

The PCB is yet to finalize the schedule, but the reports claimed that the governing body is considering hosting both the first and second Test matches in Multan or moving the first and third matches to Rawalpindi. ECB officials reportedly denied playing in Faisalabad.

PCB officials recently stated that all relevant departments are working closely to resolve the scheduling issues. The board hopes to release the final schedule within the next two days while continuing to update the ECB and the Barmy Army on the situation. It remains to be seen when the governing body will release the schedule for the series.