England to tour Pakistan next October; 1st time since 2005
England’s cricket team will play two Twenty20 Internationals in Karachi next October during its first tour to Pakistan since 2005. The England and Wales Cricket Board on Wednesday said its squad will arrive in the southern port city on Oct. 12. After playing back-toback Twenty20s on Oct. 14 and 15, both teams will fly to India on Oct. 16 for the T20 World Cup.
The ECB also announced a busy summer schedule with three Asian countries — Sri Lanka, Pakistan and India — all touring England. Sri Lanka will play three ODIs in late June and July, followed by Pakistan’s tour comprising three ODIs and three Twenty20s. The English summer culminates with India playing five test matches in August and September.
England hosted West Indies and Pakistan earlier this year without fans, but it announced a ticket ballot on Wednesday for next summer’s home games. Potential spectators were promised a full refund in case the games need to be played without fans next year too. “We had an amazing summer of international cricket this year with some memorable performances, and we know how much
enjoyment it brought to people while staying at home,” EC CEO Tom Harrison said in a statement. “Next year we’ve got another big international program to look forward to … It’s an exciting prospect for England fans, and while Covid means there’s still a great deal of uncertainty, we really hope to be able to welcome fans back into the grounds safely next year to bring that unique atmosphere to stadia across the country.”
Michael Vaughan was captain when England last toured Pakistan for three test matches and five one-day internationals.
Since then Pakistan has twice hosted England — in 2012 and 2015 — in the United Arab Emirates due to security concerns over traveling to Pakistan. Test cricket returned to the country after more than 10 years when Sri Lanka toured Pakistan late last year. International cricket was halted in Pakistan after the Sri Lanka cricket team bus was targeted in a terrorist attack in March 2009.