The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced that the men’s cricket team will be visiting Pakistan to play two T20I matches in October 2021, right before the ICC T20 World Cup which will be held in India.
England team will be visiting Pakistan after 16 years. The last time England team played cricket in Pakistan was back in 2005, when they played 5 ODI’s and 3 Test matches.
As per the press release by PCB, England team will arrive in Karachi on October 12. There will be two T20I matches between England and Pakistan on October 12 and October 14. The England team will depart from Karachi to India for the World Cup on October 16.
Earlier, PCB invited the English team in January to visit Pakistan which ECB board denied due to non-availability of their top players and proposed October dates for the tour.
PCB chairman Usman Mani also revealed that after England’s visit, South Africa and Australia will also visit Pakistan.
“England tour will be their first visit to Pakistan for 16 years and will open the door for both Test and white-ball tours in the 2022-23 season,” PCB Chief Executive Wasim Khan stated.
“The full-strength England squad will arrive at the backend of our home series against New Zealand. We also expect Australia to visit Pakistan for their FTP commitment in the 2021-22 season, with England returning for both Test and white-ball tours in the 2022-23 season,” he added.
The ECB Chief Executive Officer Tom Harrison also commented on the possible tour of England, he said, “This will be the first time since 2005 that an England team has toured Pakistan and as such it represents a significant moment for both nations.”
Furthermore, “As always, the safety and welfare of our players and staff will be paramount. We are working closely with the PCB to ensure all the necessary plans are in place, especially concerning the anticipated levels of security around the team, the proposed travel protocols and of course the situation regarding the fast-moving and ever-changing Covid-19 pandemic.”
