- Naqvi says no Tests will be played outside Pakistan.
- Selectors and coaches will choose Pakistan captain, says PCB chief
- He says in talks with BCCI secretary regarding ICC Champions Trophy.
LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi on Saturday dismissed reports claiming non-availability of venues for the upcoming three-match Test series against England, saying the matches will be held in Pakistan.
“There will be no tests outside [the country]“The venues of Multan and Rawalpindi are final,” the PCB chief said while interacting with reporters during his visit to oversee the renovation works being carried out at the Gaddafi Stadium.
Earlier this week, reports emerged that the schedule for next month's three-match series could be altered due to construction work at major stadiums in the country.
The matches are scheduled to take place in Multan (October 7-11), Karachi (October 15-19) and Rawalpindi (October 24-28). But reports claimed that the Karachi Test was likely to be shifted to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Pakistan's “home venue” until cricket returns to the country.
England coach Brendon McCullum also addressed the issue on Thursday while speaking to reporters at The Oval ahead of the third Test against Sri Lanka.
“We don't really know (what's going on in Pakistan), but we can't pick a team until we know where we're going to play,” he said. “It would be nice if, in the next few days, we knew.”
The former New Zealand captain added: “Then we'll sit back and make sure we have the right team for the right conditions and the right opposition.”
England did not tour Pakistan between 2005 and 2022 due to security concerns, with the PCB hosting matches in the United Arab Emirates during that period.
Responding to the reports, Naqvi clarified that the Test series between Pakistan and England will be played in Multan and Rawalpindi.
He further shared that the PCB is in touch with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and “there are no issues”.
'Coaches and selectors will decide who the captains will be'
Responding to another question on a possible change in captaincy, the PCB chief said that decisions on the captains of the Pakistan men's team will be taken by the coaches and selectors.
“I have left these matters to them,” Naqvi said during an inspection of the Gaddafi Stadium construction project.
Reports are doing the rounds about a change in captaincy with Mohammad Rizwan emerging as the favourite to lead across all formats.
“A workshop is planned for September 22, where everyone will be invited to give their suggestions and decisions will then be made,” he added.
“I know that if there is a mistake, it is my fault. If the team does not play well, if there is a mistake in the selection or if the coach loses, it will all be on me,” he added, while revealing that he will also meet with the selection committee today.
Sources said Geo news that the cricket board will organise a 'Connection Camp' – a workshop-meeting of top board members – that will chart the future course of action for Pakistan cricket.
Pakistan's white-ball head coach Gary Kirsten, red-ball head coach Jason Gillespie, heads of high-performance centres, senior cricketers, senior board officials as well as international and domestic managers will attend the camp meeting chaired by the PCB chief, the sources added.
Speaking about the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025, scheduled in February-March, Naqvi said the showpiece tournament will be held in Pakistan despite uncertainty regarding the participation of arch-rivals India.
India's participation in the tournament is uncertain as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) seeks government approval to visit the country.
The PCB chairman said he has been in touch with the BCCI secretary regarding the eight-team global tournament. “The Champions Trophy will be held in Pakistan and we are in touch with the boards of the teams participating in the tournament.”
Lastly, Naqvi spoke about the appointment of Jay Shah as ICC President and the Asian Cricket Council meeting.
“We are in touch with Jay Shah; there are no concerns regarding his appointment as ICC President. The ACC meeting will be held on September 8 and 9.
“I will not be able to attend the meeting, but Salman Nasir will be present. The meeting will finalise matters related to the new president,” he added.
