NEW DELHI: England are seeking clarity regarding the upcoming Test tour of Pakistan amid reports that matches might be relocated to another country due to construction work at the proposed venues.
The three-match series, scheduled to start in Multan on October 7, could face changes with Karachi and Rawalpindi potentially being problematic due to renovations for next year’s Champions Trophy.
Moving matches to the UAE or Sri Lanka has been suggested, with the England and Wales Cricket Board waiting for updates.
Media outlets in the region have raised concerns that the original schedule might be altered. The scheduled venues are undergoing renovations in preparation for the Champions Trophy, leading to possible disruptions.
Consequently, discussions have opened about relocating games.
England coach Brendon McCullum addressed the situation on Thursday while speaking to reporters at The Oval ahead of the third Test against Sri Lanka.
“We don’t really know (what is happening in Pakistan) but we can’t pick a team until we know where we’re going to play,” he said.
“It would be nice if, over the next couple of days, we found out.”
The former New Zealand captain added: “Then we’ll sit down and make sure we’ve got the right team for the right conditions and the right opposition.”
England did not tour Pakistan between 2005 and 2022, owing to security concerns, with the Pakistan Cricket Board staging matches in the UAE throughout that period.
The three-match series, scheduled to start in Multan on October 7, could face changes with Karachi and Rawalpindi potentially being problematic due to renovations for next year’s Champions Trophy.
Moving matches to the UAE or Sri Lanka has been suggested, with the England and Wales Cricket Board waiting for updates.
Media outlets in the region have raised concerns that the original schedule might be altered. The scheduled venues are undergoing renovations in preparation for the Champions Trophy, leading to possible disruptions.
Consequently, discussions have opened about relocating games.
England coach Brendon McCullum addressed the situation on Thursday while speaking to reporters at The Oval ahead of the third Test against Sri Lanka.
“We don’t really know (what is happening in Pakistan) but we can’t pick a team until we know where we’re going to play,” he said.
“It would be nice if, over the next couple of days, we found out.”
The former New Zealand captain added: “Then we’ll sit down and make sure we’ve got the right team for the right conditions and the right opposition.”
England did not tour Pakistan between 2005 and 2022, owing to security concerns, with the Pakistan Cricket Board staging matches in the UAE throughout that period.