Will Pakistan vs England Test in Rawalpindi go as planned? Imran Khan answers

On November 3, former Pakistan cricket team skipper and Prime Minister Imran Khan escaped death in a political rally. An attempt on his life was made on him during the rally but the shooter failed. Apparently, the criminal was interrupted by a good Samaritan by the name of ‘Ibtisham’. Currently, he is recovering from the injuries he sustained on one of his legs.

Meanwhile, Khan’s supporters are planning to stage a protest against the assassination attempt on him. The protests will take place in Islamabad on November 26. Notably, the England Test team will fly from Abu Dhabi to the capital city of Pakistan on the same day. This meant that the game might have to be shifted outside of the city. Not to forget, the first Test between Pakistan and England will start at the same venue on December 1.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) does have a backup plan to move the game to Karachi. However, PCB assures that they will go ahead with the schedule, which means the game won’t be moved out of Rawalpindi. PCB chairperson, Ramiz Raj, Imran Khan, and UK high commissioner, Christian Turner met Imran at his Lahore residence in Zaman Park. It is believed that the meeting also played a role in the game going as per schedule.

England will play their first Test in Pakistan after 2005

Meanwhile, for the first time in 17 years, the Three Lions will play a Test series in Pakistan. At that time, the Michael Vaughan-led side lost the three-match series by 2-0 with the second game ending in a draw. Since then, the European side didn’t play any game in Pakistan up until September and October this year when both teams played a seven-match T20I series.

Meanwhile, talking about the upcoming Test series, the next two games will be played in Multan and Karachi. The series will concluded before Christman, i.e December 21.