ENGLAND READY FOR PAKISTAN RETURN
ENGLAND are considering id i repaying i Pakistan for their bravery in visiting this Covid- hit summer with a first return tour for 15 years in January. Discussions are under way for a three- match Twenty20 series in Pakistan P that would represent a huge moment for both teams after years of playing against each other in the UAE. An ECB statement read: “After discussions with the Pakistan Cricket Board, we can confirm the ECB has received an invitation in respect of a short white- ball tour to Pakistan during the early part of 2021.
“We will be liaising with the PCB as well as other partners to work through these considerations before a final decision will be taken in due course.”
International cricket was ripped away from Pakistan over safety concerns following the terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team in
2009. It was Sri Lanka who took Test cricket back to Pakistan last year with Bangladesh, Zimbabwe and West Indies also playing T20 matches there.
But there have been no recent visits from England, Australia, New Zealand or
South Africa, who would be major non- Asian draw cards for the cricket- mad public in Pakistan.
England are due for a Test tour in 2022 but a short trip in January would be a lucrative prospect for the PCB and would encourage others to follow suit.
Several England stars have played there in recent years through the Pakistan Super League and will be able to reassure team- mates of the safety of the trip.
The likes of Moeen Ali, Chris Jordan and Jason Roy have all gone to the country and are likely to be part of the T20 side if the tour goes ahead in the new year.