Pakistan to host England for seven T20Is in September-October

ENGLAND TOUR OF PAKISTAN, 2022

England will travel to Pakistan for the first time in 17 years to play seven T20Is from September 20 to October 2 in Karachi and Lahore in the lead-up to the T20 World Cup in Australia, which begins later in October. The National stadium in Karachi will host the first four games on September 20, 22, 23 and 25 after which the action will shift to the Gaddafi stadium in Lahore for the last three fixtures on September 28, September 30 and October 2.These games will be the first leg of England’s long tour of Pakistan as they are set to return to the country after the World Cup to play three Tests in December.

“We are absolutely delighted to confirm hosting England for seven T20Is in Karachi and Lahore as a curtain-raiser to a busy, entertaining and exciting season of home internationals,” PCB Director of International Cricket Zakir Khan said.

“England is one of the top-ranked T20I teams and them playing the shortest format in the lead up to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Pakistan will not only help the team management to finalise their preparations, but will also set the tone for December’s three-Test series.”

In October 2021 too, England were scheduled to travel to Pakistan with both men’s and women’s teams, but pulled out citing concerns regarding the physical and mental well-being of their players in times of Covid and strict bio-bubbles. England’s decision came just three days following New Zealand’s 11th-hour call to end their tour of Pakistan. Pakistan however, bounced back from that setback and even hosted Australia this year.

“We demonstrated our event planning and operational skills in the highly-successful series against Australia in March/April and I am confident we will be able to replicate these when England visit us for the first time since 2005,” Zakir said. “We have been able to confirm schedule of the T20Is following a successful tour by the England and Wales Cricket Board recce team, which was pleased and satisfied with all our arrangements.

“I am confident that the cricket fans, like they did in the series against Australia, will turn up in big numbers to support both the sides and also make our Diamond Jubilee celebration year an unforgettable one,” he added.

Besides England, Pakistan will also host New Zealand twice – first for two Tests and three ODIs in December-January 2023 and then in April for five ODIs and five T20Is. West Indies will then travel to Pakistan in late July. Pakistan will also host the 50-over Asia Cup next year.
(Cricbuzz)