Schedule announced for England tour of Pakistan

The schedule for the England Men’s and Women’s tour of Pakistan has been announced by the England Cricket Board (ECB). The Eoin Morgan-led side will play a short two-match T20I series while the Women’s Team will feature in two T20Is and three ODIs. The teams will depart together on June 9 before playing two back to back T20Is on October 13 and 14. England Men’s team will then leave for UAE where they will serve the quarantine before taking part in the T20 World Cup. The Women’s team will stay back and play ODIs on October 17, 19 and 21. All matches of the series will be played in Rawalpindi.

This will be England’s first visit to Pakistan in 16 years. Their last visit dates back to 2005 where they played three Tests and five One-Day internationals. Before the England series, New Zealand will also visit Pakistan for ODI and T20I series. However, several key players are likely to opt-out to play in the IPL. Pakistan is also expected to host Australia and South Africa after the T20 World Cup.

“ 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 was quoted as saying by the PCB press statement.

“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.

PCB will be happy that slowly and steadily cricket is coming back to Pakistan. However, the board has numerous challenges ahead. Security of the players is a major concern and the COVID-19 pandemic has increased PCB's worries. Any mishap now will push Pakistan decades back.

England tour of Pakistan schedule:

13 October:

1st IT20, Pakistan Women v England Women; Rawalpindi.

1st IT20, Pakistan Men v England Men; Rawalpindi.

14 October:

2nd IT20, Pakistan Women v England Women; Rawalpindi.

2nd IT20, Pakistan Men v England Men; Rawalpindi.

17 October:

1st ODI, Pakistan Women v England Women; Rawalpindi.

19 October:

2nd ODI, Pakistan Women v England Women; Rawalpindi.

21 October:

3rd ODI, Pakistan Women v England Women; Rawalpindi.