LAHORE: The upcoming Pakistan-England cricket series faces uncertainty as unfinished cricket stadiums have raised the possibility of matches being shifted to the UAE or Sri Lanka. The series, which is part of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25, is scheduled to begin with the first Test from October 7-11 in Multan, followed by the second Test from October 15-19 in Karachi. the third from October 24 to 28 in Rawalpindi. The construction work in Rawalpindi, like the ongoing projects in Lahore and Karachi, poses significant challenges for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) as it prepares for the much-anticipated 2025 Champions Trophy. If the construction is suspended for the location of the series, it will have a serious impact on the readiness of the stadiums for the upcoming mega event to be held in Pakistan. In addition, the expected arrival of England’s Burma Army fan group is another logistical concern as staging matches without a crowd is not possible. Faced with these issues, the PCB is exploring alternative locations. The preferred option is the United Arab Emirates, but scheduling conflicts arise due to the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup due to be held in Dubai and Sharjah from October 3-20, overlapping with the Pakistan-England series. This leaves only Abu Dhabi as a potential location in the United Arab Emirates. As a result, PCB officials are also considering Sri Lanka as a possible host. A final decision will be made following discussions with the England Cricket Board (ECB) in the coming days.
