Photo Credit: Instagram Photo of @englandcricket
Concerns are rising that the third Test between England and Pakistan may be moved from Rawalpindi to Multan, the venue for the first two matches, due to ongoing protests over the imprisonment of former prime minister Imran Khan. The England team is currently based in Islamabad, close to Rawalpindi, where the final Test is scheduled to begin on October 24.
Authorities expect further protests this week, coinciding with the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation meeting, attended by delegations from China, Russia, and India. This has raised concerns that the third Test could be disrupted, especially as England is set to travel to Islamabad on Saturday.
Travel in and out of Islamabad was heavily impacted by protests before the first Test, with BBC Test Match Special commentator Jonathan Agnew delayed by 24 hours en route to Multan. Rumors of a venue switch surfaced last week, but England has maintained its plans for the final Test. A decision is expected by Thursday.
A last-minute change would be an embarrassment for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), which already had to move the second Test from Karachi to Multan due to construction work at the original venue. This disruption has affected both fans and media, and holding all three Tests at the same venue would damage Pakistan’s reputation, possibly deterring future tours.
International cricket only returned to Pakistan in 2019 after a decade of exile in the UAE following the 2009 terrorist attack on the Sri Lanka team bus. England’s successful 2022 tour marked their first Test series in Pakistan in 17 years, which they won 3-0 and were warmly received by local fans.
Derek Myers of Sport Link Travel, a tour operator managing fans in Multan, urged the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to pressure the PCB to keep the third Test in Rawalpindi. He said,
“There are going to be approximately 200 England supporters for the third Test – mostly booked through UK tour operators and some independent travellers.
“If this change happens all will incur considerable inconvenience and cost to change their flights and hotel bookings. Originally these supporters booked expecting to have a Test match in three different cities – Multan, Karachi and Islamabad. If this change goes ahead what is for many a once-in-a-lifetime experience of cricket in Pakistan is going to be limited to one city and one stadium for a series they expected to have in three different locations.
“The England cricket hierarchy and players are constantly saying how much they appreciate the support of the travelling supporters and yet the fans and tour operators are never consulted on these matters. These fans support England all over the world and their support is unwavering win or lose.
“The ECB should appreciate this more. England supporters do not expect to travel for a threematch series overseas and stay in the same hotel and stadium for the whole thing, especially as we are unable to move around the city freely without a military escort. I very much hope and expect the ECB will fight against this possible change.”
The PCB did not respond to requests for comment.
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Name of Author: Cricexec Staff
