Islamabad, Sep 18: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will release the schedule for the much anticipated three-match Test series against England. A cloud hangs over the forthcoming matches as questions about England’s captain, Ben Stokes, remain as excitement for this high-stakes series grows.
Ben Stokes has been included in England’s 17-man squad for the tour of Pakistan, despite suffering a hamstring strain in early August. Stokes is not totally fit despite being included, and he will have a scan next week to see if he can play in the opening Test, which is set to start on October 7.
The first two Tests are scheduled to take place in Multan, after the PCB chose to hold the matches in Rawalpindi and Multan. Karachi has been ruled out as a location due to ongoing development, which had an impact on this choice. The PCB hopes to take advantage of the circumstances in Multan, but should the need arise, a backup plan exists to hold the first and third Tests in Rawalpindi.
The burden is on Pakistan to recover from a poor showing against Bangladesh at home, where they were humiliated 2-0 in the most recent Test series. As of right now, the Shaheens are ranked eighth in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC). A formidable England team contending for the top two spots in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) rankings presents a formidable test to the team.
