ISLAMABAD, July 4(ABC): A three-member security-cum-vigilance team of the England Cricket Board (ECB) will arrive in the country within the next three weeks to inspect three centres for the seven-match T20I series, which will take place from September 15, reported Monday.
A Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) source has told that the security team — which will also include an ECB official — will inspect the 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.
The 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.
The repeated full houses at the Multan Stadium during that particular series forced the PCB’s think-tank to consider the venue for the England tour too. However, the ECB has yet to show any interest to consider the venue seriously.
“Our efforts have been to convince the ECB to send the team to Multan as well. Besides being one of the best stadiums in the country, Multan’s crowd loves the game and is highly supportive of good cricket no matter from which bat the runs are flowing and who is holding the leather for quality delivery,” a PCB source said.
“However, it is up to the ECB to decide on the venues. It is believed that two venues from three major cities are to host the seven-match series which will be finalised at the end of the team’s visit to Pakistan,” the source said.