The schedule for England's Test series in Pakistan has been finalized, just 17 days before the start of the series. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to move only the second game, which will now be played in Multan, the same venue as the first Test. The original schedule, announced 11 weeks ago in July, had the first Test in Multan, the second in Karachi, and the third in Rawalpindi. However, due to ongoing major renovation work at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi, which is being done with February's Champions Trophy in mind, the PCB considered various options. These included playing the second game in Rawalpindi, keeping it in Karachi but behind closed doors, and even playing one of the Tests in Abu Dhabi. The final decision allowed the PCB to present the change as 'minor adjustments,' ensuring that any international flights booked in July would not need to be altered.
Relatively few traveling fans are expected in Pakistan, especially given that the tour is followed by a white-ball trip to the West Indies and a Test series in New Zealand. Some fans are skipping this winter's tours in anticipation of next year's Ashes. The Barmy Army, one of several operators offering packages, expects to take about 20 people. Those planning to travel will welcome the end of the uncertainty surrounding the trip. 'It's really not been ideal at all. It's very difficult to plan when you don't know what cities you're going to,' said Sophie Henderson, the Barmy Army's office manager. 'In the end, it's not impacted us too much. We're quite pleased with the decision they've made.'
England's busy schedule between now and Christmas has forced them into a holding pattern, with trips so tightly packed that Brendon McCullum will not start his role as all-format head coach until the new year. Among those eager for McCullum's full takeover is Ben Duckett, who, having established himself as England's Test opener, had his first ODI outing in Thursday's defeat to Australia and is expecting January to bring 'a breath of fresh air.' 'I've been fortunate to work under [McCullum] for the last couple of years and he's taken my game to the next level,' said Duckett, before the second ODI at Headingley on Saturday. 'He finds ways to get the best out of everyone and I think he's going to come and do that with quite a young England one-day team. It's not technical in the slightest. It's more [removing] that fear factor and giving you the belief that you can do it against the best attacks in the world.'
The quick turnaround for the second installment of this Autumnal ODI series means England may choose to rest Jofra Archer, given the careful management of his return from injury. The tourists are waiting to discover whether Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc are fit again after missing the series opener with a virus, not least with left-arm seamer Ben Dwarshuis expected to be ruled out of the remaining games with the pectoral strain he picked up on debut.
