ECB security team to visit potential venues ahead of the Pakistan Series

A 3-member England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) security team is likely to visit Pakistan for thorough inspection ahead of the bilateral series between both the nations in September. The 7-match T20I series is slated to be played from 15 September to 2 October.

After this series, the both teams will head to Australia to feature in the T20 World Cup. 

A Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) source said to The News, that the ECB official will also accompany the security team to have a proper check on the stay, hotel-stadium transfers, and arrangements in the stadium. 

The security and vigilance officials will inspect the cities, Rawalpindi, Lahore and Karachi, which are expected to host the series. 

Recently, the Multan stadium successfully hosted the 3-match bilateral ODI series between Pakistan and West Indies. The packed crowds at Multan have also forced PCB to organize the international matches in the city. 

“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,” said PCB source. 

“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 team’s visit to Pakistan,” source added. 

If Multan does not come into the picture, Lahore and Karachi can be the probable venues for the series due to the capacity to hold more spectators. 

“To hold the series on two venues is the best option available. If not Multan then Lahore and Karachi are the best available centres because of their bigger capacities.

“Pindi Stadium has a smaller capacity of around thirteen thousand spectators. So the Pindi Stadium’s option would fetch little.”

The ECB Security team is expected to arrive in Pakistan in or around the third week of July.