Pakistan-England series could move to UAE or Sri Lanka amid PCB's construction delays

PCB considering alternative venues as incomplete preparations raise uncertainty over the Pakistan-England series.

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The upcoming Pakistan-England cricket series faces uncertainty as incomplete preparation of cricket stadiums has increased the likelihood of relocating the matches to the UAE or Sri Lanka.

The series which is part of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 is scheduled to kick off with the first Test from October 7 to 11 in Multan, followed by the second Test from October 15 to 19 in Karachi, and the third from October 24 to 28 in Rawalpindi.

Construction work in Rawalpindi, akin to ongoing projects in Lahore and Karachi, poses significant challenges for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) as it prepares for the highly anticipated 2025 Champions Trophy.

If the construction is paused to accommodate the series, it will severely impact the readiness of the stadiums for the upcoming mega-event being hosted in Pakistan. Additionally, the expected arrival of England's Barmy Army fan group poses another logistical concern, as hosting matches without a crowd is not a feasible option.

Faced with these issues, the PCB is exploring alternative venues. The UAE is the preferred option, but scheduling conflicts arise due to the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup, which is set to take place in Dubai and Sharjah from October 3 to 20, overlapping with the Pakistan-England series.

This leaves only Abu Dhabi as a potential venue in the UAE. As a result, PCB officials are also considering Sri Lanka as a possible host. The final decision will be made after discussions with the England Cricket Board (ECB) in the coming days.