The England Cricket Board (ECB) will be sending a three-member security team to Pakistan within the next three weeks for the inspection of the three venues for the upcoming seven-match T20I series. This was revealed by a PCB source to The News on Monday.
The security team, which will also include an ECB official, will do the inspection of venues and review the arrangements being made for the visitors’ stay, travelling within the city (hotel to grounds and back), and arrangements within the stadiums.
England Cricket Board (ECB) team will inspect arrangements at three major cities of the country — Rawalpindi, Lahore and Karachi — the potential venues to host the seven-match series. The PCB wants the team to also visit Multan Stadium where Pakistan played three-match one-day series against West Indies with immense success.
England team is due to arrive on September 15 and is scheduled to leave in October for Australia for the World Cup T20 and a pre-Cup T20 series. Within 18 days of the team’s stay in Pakistan, England will play seven matches.
The source stated that holding the series at two venues is the best option available. If Multan is not an option, then Lahore and Karachi are the best choices because of their bigger capacities.
They added that such a series is meant to attract the crowd and generate the best possible financial return, which is more likely in Lahore and Karachi. Although Pindi Stadium has a smaller capacity, it is unlikely to generate considerable revenue.
The source emphasized that the ultimate decision will be made by the England Cricket Board (ECB) on the recommendations of the visiting team.
Though the England Cricket Board (ECB) has yet to communicate the security team’s arrival dates, it is believed that it would be here in the third week of July.
