PAK vs ENG Tests to shift out of Pakistan in another massive blow before ICC Champions Trophy 2025

The highly anticipated Test series between Pakistan and England is on the verge of being shifted out of Pakistan.

With stadiums across the country undergoing construction work, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is racing against the clock to find an alternate location for the upcoming Test series.

It is being said that the upcoming three-match Test series between the Men in Green and England could now be moved to the UAE or Sri Lanka, with the fate of the series confirmed by the PCB soon.

Pakistan's home advantage at risk, as Test series against England likely to move

Dubai and Sharjah were initially top choices for hosting the Test matches, but they are now off the table due to their commitments to the upcoming ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024, which will be hosted by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) later this year.

With only Abu Dhabi left as an option in the UAE, the PCB is left scrambling for solutions, as they are now reportedly looking at Sri Lanka as a potential savior for the upcoming much-awaited Test series against England due to the unavailability of stadiums because of construction work in the country.

Sources within the PCB have confirmed that an official decision over the venue for the Pakistan vs. England Test series will be taken soon.

If the Test series moves out, the hosts will not have the home advantage, so it will be interesting to see whether the PCB finds a way to keep the series at home after their embarrassing 0-2 whitewash against Bangladesh.

PCB considering Sri Lanka as the venue for England's Tests

A senior journalist, Saleem Khaliq, posted on X: “Due to the unavailability of stadiums because of construction work, chances of Pakistan-England series being moved to the UAE or Sri Lanka have increased. Women's World Cup matches are scheduled to be held in Dubai and Sharjah, leaving only Abu Dhabi available. PCB officials are also considering holding matches in Sri Lanka, and a decision is expected soon.”

Due to the unavailability of stadiums because of construction work,chances of Pakistan-England series moved to the UAE or Sri Lanka has increased. Women's World Cup matches are scheduled to be held in Dubai and Sharjah, leaving only Abu Dhabi available. PCB officials are also…

— Saleem Khaliq (@saleemkhaliq) September 5, 2024

Recently, the Men in Green were handed their first-ever Test series defeat by Bangladesh in their backyard. The Tigers crushed the hosts by 10 wickets in the first Test, followed by another shocker of 6 wickets in the second Test.

Multan, Karachi, and Rawalpindi to host England Tests

With these memorable wins, England recorded a historic whitewash in Rawalpindi on September 3. Now, is all set to welcome England for a three-match Test series, with Multan, Karachi, and Rawalpindi being selected as the venues for the home series next month.

However, the PCB is set to host the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in February-March, for which the renovation of the top stadiums is underway, posing a significant challenge to the board to host England matches at home.

The first Test between the Men in Green and England will be played at the Multan Cricket Stadium on October 7, followed by the second Test at the National Stadium in Karachi on October 15, with the third and final Test being scheduled to be held at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from October 24.