The historic first Test between England and Pakistan could be moved from Rawalpindi amid rising political tensions in the region.
England have not played Test cricket in Pakistan since 2005 due to security concerns, but successfully returned earlier this year for an enthralling seven-match T20I series ahead of the two countries meeting in the T20 World Cup final.
However, after former Prime Minister and World Cup-winning cricket captain Imran Khan survived an assassination attempt in the region earlier this month, political unrest has grown. Khan has asked his supporters to continue marching to the capital city Islamabad to demand a fresh general election after he lost a no confidence vote in parliament and was ousted as Prime Minister in April.
With the march set to culminate around the same time England's squad will arrive and Rawalpindi not set to host any more Quaid-e-Azam trophy matches after a game between Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was abandoned as the public protests meant both teams were unable to travel to the ground, the first Test may be moved.
The PA news agency states that 'other options are being drawn up' to host the match, while ESPNcricinfo report that Karachi, which will host the third Test, is 'being discussed as an alternative to Rawalpindi'.
Both reports state that the tour is not in jeopardy due to rising tensions and Managing Director of England Men's Cricket Rob Key says he has full faith in security consultant Reg Dickason, who Test captain Ben Stokes said last week the players 'trust with their lives'.
"From what I hear, everything is going to go ahead," Key told Sky Sports News. "The one I trust in that situation is Reg Dickason, who is fantastic, all the players trust him. I am not hearing anything from him that suggests the tour won't go ahead.
"From what I hear so far, it's a pretty live situation, at the moment we are all looking forward to what's going to be a historic tour. We have no worries and concerns at the moment." England's number three Ollie Pope echoed Key's comments, adding: "From chatting to the T20 guys, the security they had and the precautions they were made to take, they felt incredibly safe.
"At the minute, from what I know, it's going to go ahead, and we're going to trust the guys at the top of the ECB and the security guys to make it a good decision. From a personal point of view, absolutely [no concerns], it's about our safety and that's something the ECB wouldn't take any risks with."
