Last Updated on 4 years ago by Charbel Coorey
Cricket News: Multan weather for PAK-WI ODIs: Temperatures to reach 45 degrees | Temperatures will reach about 45 degrees in Multan
Multan will receive its first dose of international cricket since way back in 2008. Pakistan take on West Indies in three ODIs starting from 8 June, in a series that was originally slated for the backend of 2021, but was postponed due to a COVID-19 outbreak in the Windies camp.
However, it will be a tough outing for players and spectators. It is very hot in Multan at this time of year, with temperatures expected to touch 45 degrees, resulting in a later-than-usual start time of 4:00pm for all three ODIs. So, each match, should they last the distance, will finish past midnight.
Doing our best to acclimatise to the Multan weather – Babar Azam
Multan wasn’t the first pick, with Rawalpindi originally slated to host the series. However, political unrest in nearby Islamabad has forced the PCB’s hand in moving the series for safety reasons.
In a press conference in Lahore leading up to the series, Pakistan captain Babar Azam spoke of how his team is readying themselves for the challenge. The players have undertaken a conditioning and training camp in Lahore, where it also very hot.
“Definitely it is hot, but we are having a conditioning camp and acclimatising to the weather. We started our training camp earlier in the day from 2:30pm so that we could feel the heat and get ourselves ready for the matches,” he said.
“The temperate here (in Lahore) is similar to what we are going to experience in Multan, maybe one or two degrees more. We are already having our camps here and training in and out to get used to it.”
Babar also spoke of Pakistan’s experience in the UAE as an advantage for the home side. West Indies, who only finished their ODI series in cool conditions in the Netherlands a few days ago, will have a lot of adjusting to do.
“As a professional, you have to handle these situations. We do go out to other countries to play, and even during our time in the UAE, we used to face similar temperatures. I think it won’t be a problem and we will try to finish this series on a high note,” Babar said.
“Definitely it is hot, but we are having a conditioning camp and acclimatising to the weather. We started our training camp earlier in the day from 2:30pm so that we could feel the heat and get ourselves ready for the matches”
Babar Azam
PCB has made a big blunder moving series to Multan – Sikandar Bakht
Former cricketer Sikandar Bakht has criticised the PCB for selecting Multan as the venue for the series over Karachi. In addition to political unrest in Islamabad, the squares at the National Stadium in Karachi and Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore are undergoing construction.
“I can’t understand PCB’s mindset,” Bakht said to Geo Super. “Karachi must have been an alternative option to host this series. Didn’t PCB know weather conditions of Punjab region in June-July?”
“They [PCB] dug pitches in Karachi and then had to move matches to Multan in such a hot weather. I am in Karachi right now, weather is hot but sea winds make it slightly better than Multan. Whoever decided to dug pitches in Karachi at this point in time, made a big blunder,” he said.
A Geo Super production member was scathing in his assessment of the PCB’s decision.
“I don’t know why PCB took this risk. Putting players into play in such a weather is stupidity,” he said.
“Its not only about players. There are a lot of other people like us involved in organizing a cricket series. Who will think about us? It’s too hard and risky to work in this weather.
PAK-WI ODIs a key series in the World Cup qualification race
The three matches are of significant importance to both teams in the ongoing ODI Super League. West Indies, thanks to their 3-0 series sweep over Netherlands, have moved into fourth place on 80 points. However, they have played the equal-most matches (18), six more than hosts Pakistan who currently sit tenth with 60 points.
The ODIs will take place on June 8, 10 and 12 in Multan.
