"The home Test series against England will be held in Multan and Rawalpindi" - PCB Chief Mohsin Naqvi
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi has confirmed that the Test series against England will not be held in UAE or Sri Lanka. Instead, Naqvi revealed that Rawalpindi and Multan will be the venues for the three-Test rubber.
A few media reports had earlier indicated that the Test series could be held in the UAE or Sri Lanka due to the renovation work going in the major stadiums. The renovation work is reportedly due to Pakistan playing hosts for 2025 Champions Trophy, scheduled for February 2025.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday, the PCB boss stated, as quoted by cricketpakistan.pk:
"The home Test series against England will be held in Multan and Rawalpindi. We are in touch with the England board and they are satisfied."
With the second Test against the Englishmen secheduled for Karachi to host, it remains to be seen if Multan or Rawalpindi will stage it. The 45-year-old also asserted that Pakistan will also play hosts for the Champions Trophy, contrary to several reports.
"Champions Trophy will be held in Pakistan, we are in touch with the BCCI Secretary. [We are] also in contact with the boards of the teams participating in the Champions Trophy."
The Champions Trophy is the first ICC event the country is slated to host since the 1996 World Cup. However, there are massive question marks over the Indian team travelling to the country due to the uncertain political and security situation. India haven't played in Pakistan since 2008.
Struggling Pakistan face daunting Test against England
The Men in Green are undergoing a rut in Test cricket, especially at home, and last won a series in 2021. They are coming off a humiliating series defeat to Bangladesh and Shan Masood's captaincy remains under doubt ahead of the upcoming series.
England, led by Ben Stokes, inflicted a 3-0 series sweep on Pakistan in late 2022. The Englishmen have defeated the West Indies and Sri Lanka at home and will be targetting another away series victory over the sub-continent nation.