After the success of Zimbabwe’s tour of Pakistan and Pakistan Super League, there is some turn in fortune for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). England cricket team confirmed dates for the tour of Pakistan. The tour was initially scheduled at the start of 2021, but later it was shifted to the second half of 2021.
On 18 November, the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced the summer schedule for men’s, women’s, and disability cricket team. Due to the ongoing pandemic, every sporting affair is forced to be played behind closed doors and the England & Wales Cricket Board is planning to stage matches accordingly. England Men’s team is supposed to play India at home during August and September 2021. The World Champions will host a Royal London’s ODI series against Sri Lanka and then Royal London series & Vitality T20I series against Pakistan.
After announcing schedule for home games, England & Wales Cricket Board announced a two-match T20I series in Karachi, Pakistan on October 14 and 15, 2021, just before the ICC T20 World Cup to be played in India. England Cricket team will be touring Pakistan after a leap of 16 long years. England last toured in 2005 for three tests and five ODIs. England was supposed to tour Pakistan in 2012 & 2015 which got shifted to the Emirates post the terror attack on Sri Lankan team’s bus in 2009.
ECB’s chief executive Tom Harris said, “We have a strong relationship with PCB and ECB is delighted to able to play our part in ensuring the safe return of international cricket in the wonderful nation of passionate cricket fans.”
Both the boards are putting their extreme possible efforts for Pakistan’s comeback of hosting international cricket a successful tale. PCB’s chief executive Wasim Khan also shared his comments after ECB’s approval of the T20I series. The Pakistani counterpart is hopeful that world-class efforts from PCB during the England series will give the English cricketers a boost for coming back in 2022 for Pakistan Super League.
Khan is also hopeful for Australia to tour Pakistan in March 2022. As per ICC’s Future Tour Programme (FTP), Australia is supposed to play Pakistan in an away tour of two test tests, three ODIs, and three T20Is. Australia last toured Pakistan in 1998 when Mark Taylor led Aussies to a 1-0 test series win. If everything goes well for Pakistan, a long jinx of 24 years will end in 2022 but one thing is certain, Pakistan’s wait of 16 years will be over when the England team will come in 2021.