Regardless of whether England or Pakistan come out on top in their upcoming cricket series, the big winners are likely to be the South Asian country's hotel owners.
Pakistan expects an massive invasion by England's "Barmy Army" of fans on a high following Michael Vaughan's side's historic Ashes triumph over rivals Australia last month. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said the English cricket authorities had warned them to brace for a rush of supporters due to soaring interest in the game.
England arrive in Pakistan on October 26 to play three Tests and five one-day matches. The first Test starts in the central city of Multan from November 12.
Just as an influx of Indian fans provided a windfall for Pakistani hoteliers during India's tour last year, the business has high hopes during the England series. Other smaller hotels have doubled their rates to 75 and 100 dollars a day.
Faisalabad, the venue of the second Test from November 20, is even more jammed as all 140 rooms in the only five-star hotel, the Serena, have been booked by the Pakistan Cricket Board for teams, guests and fans. And the border city of Lahore expects fans from neighbouring India as well as England for the third Test from November 29, as well as for the first two one-day internationals in early December.
The tour has an added edge following Vaughan's comments that England want to take Australia's crown as the number one side in the world.
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