Peshawar was technically ruled out as a possible venue for this winter's tour of England when the Pakistan Cricket Board said the England Cricket Board inspectors would not visit the border city.
"The ECB officials will only inspect facilities and security at Karachi, Multan, Faisalabad, Lahore and Rawalpindi or Islamabad. The first batch of two-man security team will arrive in Karachi on June 27 while the two ECB officials will arrive in Islamabad on July 3," an official of the Pakistan Cricket Board said.
When inquired why the English officials are not visiting Peshawar, the official said, "because Peshawar is not the venue for England matches."
The PCB's decision drew immediate criticism and threat from the local association who said they reserved the right arguing they are the most deserving city to play hosts for such an important series.
England will arrive in Pakistan on October 22 for three Tests and five one-day internationals. Peshawar, along with Karachi, are considered turbulent areas with the English officials being candid on Karachi saying that they do not want to be trapped in crossfire.
India had also expressed similar reservations over playing Tests at Karachi and Peshawar but later agreed to make flying visits to the two cities for one-day matches. These were the only games of the five-match one-day series that were played under lights.
The PCB official said the ECB security team will arrive in Karachi on June 27 and will start the inspection the following day from Karachi and will then proceed to Multan, Faisalabad and Lahore before wrapping up the visit in Rawalpindi or Islamabad with a meeting in Interior Ministry.
PCB's decision drew immediate criticism from Peshawar cricket association officials though they requested anonymity saying they would first request the administration to review their decision through proper channel.
"We showed tremendous hospitality, discipline during India's match and there is no reason to deny us the right to host a match featuring English cricket team," a top Peshawar cricket association official said.
"England will play eight international matches and two side matches on the tour and even then PCB does not want to allocate one match to Peshawar. We have a good Test center besides a five-star hotel that is less than 10 minutes from the stadium. It's nothing but open injustice to people of Peshawar.
"Peshawar has won national championships which reflects the talent the province has. Security has not been an issue here as there is complete peace not only in the city but also in the entire province. If you compare Peshawar with any other major city of the country, you find that it is more peaceful than cities like Lahore, Islamabad and Karachi where there have been acts of terrorism recently," he added.
Asked what would be the line of action if Peshawar does not get the match, the official said they had plenty of options but would only consider them if required.
"We have a strong case and I am sure we would be able to convince the PCB to host a match in Peshawar. But if they don't, then we have many options but I would not like to jump the gun now."
Peshawar's Arbab Niaz Stadium has hosted six Tests since 1995 and 14 one-day internationals since 1984.
Peshawar, though, have bitter memories of hosting England. It was here in February 1956 when the MCC team, lead by Donald Carr, was allegedly involved in kidnapping umpire late Idrees Baig on the penultimate evening of the Test and poured two buckets of water over him. It is further accused that some members even manhandled the umpire who suffered shoulder injuries. Donald Carr never played for England again.
