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- Pakistan and West Indies will lock horns in three-match ODI series starting June 8
- The last ODI played in Multan was between Pakistan and Bangladesh in April 2008
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan cricket team arrived in Multan on Sunday to play a three-match one-day international (ODI) series against the West Indies next week, as the city prepared to welcome international cricket after 14 years.
International cricket remained away from Pakistan for over six years after a militant attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore in 2009. Gradually, successful editions of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) brought many foreign players to the country followed by the tours of heavyweights Australia, South Africa and the West Indies.
West Indies were to play three Twenty20s and three ODIs as part of their tour to Pakistan in December, but cut short the series after a spike in the number of COVID-19 cases in their touring party.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced in May that the ODI series had been shifted from Rawalpindi to Multan, without specifying a reason. Ever since Pakistan has seen the resumption of world cricket, international games have been held in Lahore, Rawalpindi and Karachi but not Multan.
“International cricket will return to the City of Saints – Multan – after more than 14 years next week when Babar Azam’s side will lock horns with the West Indies in three ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League matches at the Multan Cricket Stadium from Wednesday,” the PCB said in a statement.
The three remaining ODI matches of the series, which are part of the ICC Cricket Men’s World Cup Super League, will be played on June 8, 10 and 12.
The Multan stadium has a capacity of 35,000 spectators and can host day-night fixtures as well. The last ODI played at the venue was between Pakistan and Bangladesh in April 2008, when the hosts won by 7 wickets.
The most recent high-profile cricket matches played in Multan were the three PSL games in February 2020. Multan Sultans, the home side, won all the games by defeating Peshawar Zalmi, Karachi Kings and Quetta Gladiators.