Pakistan return for Cardiff T20

SOPHIA Gardens will again host an international T20 clash between England and Pakistan next season.

It will be the second time in two years the teams play an IT20 in Cardiff, with the match scheduled over the Bank Holiday on Monday, August 31, 2020.

The home side ran out comfortable winners with a comprehensive seven-wicket victory when the sides met in May at the venue.

“It’s very good news. We are delighted to welcome Pakistan back to Cardiff for an IT20 game,” said chief executive Hugh Morris.

“They are one of the top teams in the world, it should be exciting. We had a really good game at the beginning of this year between England and Pakistan, and we are really excited by another one. We are looking for another bumper crowd.

“Pakistan bring a lot of excitement. Their spectators love cricket, they make a great deal of noise in the stadium, and create a great atmosphere.”

Meanwhile, on the home front, Glamorgan are still in the race for promotion in the Specsavers County Championship, despite a disappointing loss to Division Two leaders Lancashire at Colwyn Bay this week.

The Welsh county are currently in fourth place, but are only five points behind Northants in third with the top three all gaining promotion.

Morris added: “It’s been a tough month, there is no way to get away from it. We were obviously disappointed with the result in Colwyn Bay. We lost to a very good Lancashire side. We have three games left, and it is very tight in Division Two.

“There are three to be promoted this year, and if you had said at the beginning of the season that we would be in the mix, very much in the shake up, with three games to go we would have taken it. We are looking forward to the challenge of it.”

Before their next Championship fixture, Glamorgan are back in Vitality Blast action, heading to Somerset tomorrow (7pm) before hosting Sussex in Cardiff on Monday (2.30pm).