PCB, ECB keep their fingers crossed on England’s tour of Pakistan later this year

England are scheduled to tour Pakistan later this year in October for a bilateral T20 series. The Brits, as of now, are set to play two T20Is on October 14 and 15. The series is expected to be a part of preparations for the upcoming T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates. However, there are clouds of uncertainty over England’s proposed tour of Pakistan.

Recently, the England and Wales Cricket Board postponed the Brits’ tour of Bangladesh. The tour was about to take place in September and October but has now been postponed indefinitely. The same has put to doubts England’s tour of Pakistan. However, the ECB and the Pakistan Cricket Board are still hopeful of conducting the series in Pakistan.

Earlier this year, Pakistan played three T20Is and as many ODIs on English soil. Barring the T20 victory at the Trent Bridge in Nottingham, Pakistan had to face defeats in the other three matches. Back in 2020, Pakistan toured England as well for a bilateral series.

Ashley Giles talks about giving England players a break

The proposed series in October 2021 was set to take place in January. But it had to be postponed due to various reasons. Earlier, Ashley Giles, the England men’s director of cricket, talked about giving the English players some breathing space amidst the chock-a-block schedule at the international level.

“We have a full schedule. If we go from the end of the fifth Test in September, we are set to leave for Bangladesh on September 19 or 20. We have a full schedule right through including Pakistan and wherever the T20 World Cup is [since moved to Oman and the UAE],” Giles was quoted as saying in ESPNcricinfo.

After the T20 World Cup, England are also scheduled to tour Australia for an overseas Ashes. The five-match Tests will start on December 8 with the final Test starting on January 14.

“We are going to have to give some of these guys a break at some point. But the intention of giving guys a break for, say, Bangladesh, wouldn’t be for them to go and play cricket elsewhere. We have to manage our schedule now, so we get our guys arriving in the best shape possible for the T20 World Cup and the Ashes,” he added.