MULTAN — Fears are growing that England’s third Test against Pakistan could be moved from Rawalpindi to Multan, the venue for the first two matches of the series, in response to ongoing protests against the imprisonment of former Prime Minister Imran Khan.

The England team are staying in Islamabad, which neighbours Rawalpindi, for the series finale that starts on 24 October.

Pakistan’s capital has been the scene of political unrest in recent months following protests by supporters of Imran, Prime Minister from 2018 to 2022 before he was deposed.

Authorities expect more this week to coincide with the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation meeting on Tuesday and Wednesday which will be attended by delegations from China, Russia and India.

That has raised concerns that the third Test could be affected if more protests follow, with England set to travel to Islamabad on Saturday.

Travel in and out of the capital was badly affected by protests the weekend before the first Test started, with BBC Test Match Special commentator Jonathan Agnew delayed from travelling to Multan by 24 hours.

Talk of the possible switch were first circulated last week.

England are aware of those rumours but insist their plans for the final Test remain the same.

A decision on the fate of the Test match is expected to be made public on Thursday.

Any late switch would be hugely embarrassing for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), who were forced to confirm a change for this week’s second Test from Karachi to Multan just 13 days before England flew out for the tour because of ongoing building work at the original venue.

That has already adversely affected the plans of travelling fans and media covering the tour.

But the prospect of all three Tests now being staged at the same ground would be a body blow to Pakistan’s reputation and could potentially put off other teams from touring the country in future.

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Pakistan only started staging international cricket again in 2019 after a decade of being forced to play in the neutral United Arab Emirates following the terrorist attack on the Sri Lanka team bus in Lahore in 2009.

England enjoyed a wonderful tour on and off the field in 2022 when they played their first Test series in the country for 17 years, winning 3-0 and being embraced by the wider public.

But the prospect of being forced to play an entire series in Multan is an unappetising one for the players and fans, both of whom are largely confined to their accommodation in the city because of the security situation and who have to be followed at all times by armed escorts if they leave the safety of their hotel compounds.

One tour operator currently looking after fans in Multan has urged the England & Wales Cricket Board to put pressure on the PCB to ensure the third Test remains in Rawalpindi.

Derek Myers of Sport Link Travel told i: “There are going to be approximately 200 England supporters for the third Test – mostly booked through UK tour operators and some independent travellers.

“If this change happens all will incur considerable inconvenience and cost to change their flights and hotel bookings. Originally these supporters booked expecting to have a Test match in three different cities – Multan, Karachi and Islamabad. If this change goes ahead what is for many a once-in-a-lifetime experience of cricket in Pakistan is going to be limited to one city and one stadium for a series they expected to have in three different locations.

“The England cricket hierarchy and players are constantly saying how much they appreciate the support of the travelling supporters and yet the fans and tour operators are never consulted on these matters. These fans support England all over the world and their support is unwavering win or lose.

“The ECB should appreciate this more. England supporters do not expect to travel for a three-match series overseas and stay in the same hotel and stadium for the whole thing, especially as we are unable to move around the city freely without a military escort. I very much hope and expect the ECB will fight against this possible change.”

The PCB did not respond when contacted by i for comment.