Forget UAE, we should play our "home" games in England!

[ahmedwaqas92]

Can England be used as an alternative venue for the Pakistan Cricket Team?

Plain and simple, matches in England make for the best viewing and probably have the best atmosphere during Pakistan games; almost feels like we're playing in Karachi / Lahore rather than in a foreign country.

I would go on a limb and say that we should most certainly look to make England an alternative venue for 'certain' home series and Limited Overs legs for these tours. We can have U.A.E. grounds as our test only venue and LOI cricket can be conducted @ Cardiff, Oval etc etc.

We need to develop our brand back to what it was seen as previously, and playing under English conditions and winning could do a world of good in attaining that stature back.

Logistically and in financial terms this could mean PCB could be a little cash stricken initially however, in the long run we would practically be able to develop our brand as a multi regional cricketing powerhouse and that in turn would attract more sponsors and TV right deals - I haven't done any number crunching as of yet but I am of the opinion that this could work.

What do you guys think ? Is this workable ?
Discuss

 

[Markhor]

Oh yaar how many times will this be mentioned. ECB will not allow a neutral series to clash with its own home international and domestic season. What grounds would be free ?

 

[Hamad_H]

It could be done alongside the English season. I don't think ECB would allow Pakistan to use stadiums like Cardiff, Oval and the other international stadiums but they could be played a county grounds where the grounds may be smaller but will definitely sell out or be close to a sell out. Also, a lot of counties are having a few financial troubles like Durham and with the new T20 Franchise tournament in 2020 being played in only a few grounds as there will be less teams and the teams will be city based, the counties who are missing out could allow Pakistan could use their stadiums during that franchise tournament. Plus those stadiums will be cheaper for Pakistan to use than the big international stadiums. It would be good for both PCB and ECB.

 

[Kianig89]

Yes it can be used but ECB's calendar doesn't have space for it however in late April early may a short LOI series can be played but at that time most of the teams player are busy in tamsha league #IPL

 

[adil_909]

Lot's of Pakistanis, passionate british fans that enjoy seeing good cricket, pitches that suit our style, victory in CT 17 and WT20 09. Should be a no brainer. Forget UAE...time to start playing home games in the UK until cricket returns to Pakistan!

Thoughts?

 

[ExpressPacer]

Been discussed time and again but the fact is, with all the pointless luxury expenses PCB has for its officials, we can't afford it.

 

[QalandarFan]

It won't happen.

 

[Bleedgreen4ever]

Lot's of Pakistanis, passionate british fans that enjoy seeing good cricket, pitches that suit our style, victory in CT 17 and WT20 09. Should be a no brainer. Forget UAE...time to start playing home games in the UK until cricket returns to Pakistan!

Thoughts?

Excellent post
UAE is expensive and non profitable
They should also have PSL 3 there

 

[cricguru]

ECB was helping Pakistan before UAE was picked as home series venue, infact few Pakistan home series vs Australia were played in England. Thanks to idiot ex PCB chairman Mr Ijaz Butt, his match fixing allegations on English team angerd English baord and forced PCB to go to UAE. Since new management has good terms with ECB, we can try to have at least one edition of PSL in England, this will also boost our league and more players from Eng AUS and NZ will participate

 

[vandokkum]

You can thank Asif and Butt for why this will not be happening again.

 

[WhenSultansBowled]

It would be beneficial for both PCB and ECB, if they let Pakistan play in England.

Even BD or SL are a better choice than UAE

 

[Slog]

This mindlessly stupid idea comes up every couple of years

No. We will not play our home matches in England

 

[Khwaja]

theyll ban us again

 

[coy0607]

England is a LOT better than UAE in every way for cricket

and therefore is significantly more expensive, I don't think PCB can afford it

 

[Chief Destroyer]

What do you mean "thoughts"? Do you really think anyone would object this but it's not realistic anymore.

Our best chances are to bring it back home one step at a time through PSL.

 

[Rana]

This mindlessly stupid idea comes up every couple of years

No. We will not play our home matches in England

It's not a mindlessly stupid idea, it's actually something that was considered and implemented on in 2010 so I don't understand how you can call it a stupid idea

 

[badsha001]

We don't need either UAE or England, we will be playing home series in Pakistan inshallah...

 

[KingKhanWC]

England is the best place for Pakistan.

Sure the tests v Aus weren't sold out but it was early in the season. Pakistan has a massive fan base here.

The summer conditions of July & August suit our play more than the UAE.

PCB is thinking of Sri Lanka, not sure how many fans will fly over there.

 

[irfan]

more specifically just play at The Oval, a Pakistani fortress in England.

 

[adil_909]

What do you mean "thoughts"? Do you really think anyone would object this but it's not realistic anymore.

Our best chances are to bring it back home one step at a time through PSL.

Well seems like there are people even on this thread who are objecting, much less at PCB/government level.

UAE is expensive, plus nobody comes to the stands. Yes England will cost more but you will see higher attendance. I think even Brits would come to watch the ODIs and T20 games so we'll generate a lot more revenue at the ground itself. Plus Giles Clark is sympathetic to Pakistan. This is the right time to try and renegotiate with ECB, either for PSL or for our home games.

 

[FlickedOffHips]

This is not such a crazy idea actually. Hardly anyone attends UAE games. PAK is bound to get a lot more fans turn up in England. Someone at the PCB needs to pull Giles Clarke aside and try to sort it out.

 

[KingKhanWC]

I'm not sure if it will not be more expensive.

There are many grounds in England, Pak could play at Somerset, Hampshire, Glamorgan or other county grounds who would give a better deal.

 

[Civil]

Prior to the spot fix series 2010 we "hosted" australia and bowlers did real well. I'd love to have our home test series against asian nations in more typical english conditions.

 

[KingKhanWC]

Prior to the spot fix series 2010 we "hosted" australia and bowlers did real well. I'd love to have our home test series against asian nations in more typical english conditions.

Pak wont make England a fortress as the UAE is but the matches will be very interesting to watch. It will improve our team no doubt.

 

[Hasan123]

Never going to happen unfortunately

 

[Savak]

The CT victory is a good chance to request ECB to allow us to play our home series in England

 

[MMHS]

PCB should seriously think about making Toronto as one of the overseas venue. Here the climate & wicket is almost identical to UK, weather is the best for cricket between June to September and at least 1.5mn die hard cricket enthusiast lives with in GTA, who would pay good money for any Asian clash. Taxation & logistical costs are an issue, but that can be managed under a long term contract. Only problem is an International quality venue, but if PCB cracks a deal with Cricket Canada for long term contract of like at least 6 matches every years, it's possible to build a cricket stadium here - land is not an issue, neither funding, if long term business proposition is there. Cricket is one of the fastest growing game in GTA among South Asian origin people.

 

[marlonbrowndo]

Just please get out of the awful UAE

 

[Junaids]

Every second summer the ECB schedules very little cricket from mid-June to mid-July to avoid clashing with the football World Cup and Euros.

That's the window.

 

[Pakistanian]

Wouldn't it be too expensive for the PCB, lets not forget that the UAE would be easier to travel to for fans from Pakistan cause it's a shorter flight, cheaper, and easier for Pakistanis to get visas.

As a Pakistani-American however, I would prefer the UK. I could attend more games since it's only like a 10 hr flight. I also think it'd be a good practice for the 2019 world cup, so the team gets accustomed to the conditions.