England men’s T20 side confirms Pakistan tour in October 2021

[MenInG]

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) today confirmed the England men’s team will make their first visit to Pakistan in 16 years when they will play two Twenty20 internationals in Karachi on 14 and 15 October 2021.

England will arrive in Karachi on 12 October, and both teams will depart for India on 16 October for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup at the end of the series.

The ECB confirmed the tour on Tuesday evening following last month’s invite by the PCB for a short tour in January 2021.

England last toured Pakistan in 2005 when they played three Tests and five One-Day Internationals. The subsequent series between the two sides in 2012 and 2015 were played in the United Arab Emirates.

Tom Harrison, ECB Chief Executive Officer said: “It’s a real pleasure to announce that the England men’s IT20 squad will be playing in Pakistan in October 2021. This will be the first time since 2005 that an England team has toured Pakistan and as such it represents a significant moment for both nations.

“As was demonstrated this summer, we have a strong relationship with PCB and ECB is delighted to be able to play our part in ensuring the safe return of international cricket to this wonderful nation of passionate cricket fans.

“As always, the safety and welfare of our players and staff will be paramount. We are working closely with the PCB to ensure all the necessary plans are in place, especially concerning the anticipated levels of security around the team, the proposed travel protocols and of course the situation regarding the fast-moving and ever-changing COVID-19 pandemic.

“The two-match series will serve as ideal preparation for the England team leading into an ICC Men’s T20 World Cup taking place in India during October and November 2021.”

Wasim Khan, PCB Chief Executive, added: “I am delighted to confirm that England will be touring Pakistan to play two T20s in October 2021. This will be their first visit to Pakistan for 16 years and will open the door for both Test and White Ball tours in the 2022-23 season.

“The full-strength England squad will arrive at the backend of our home white-ball series against New Zealand. We also expect Australia to visit Pakistan for their FTP commitment in early 2022, with England returning for both Test and White Ball tours in the 2022-23 season.

“The October 2021 T20Is will allow the leading England cricketers to access and examine the world-class arrangements we will put together, which will give them further encouragement and confidence to not only return in 2022-23 but also express their interest in the Pakistan Super League, which has grown to become one of the top leagues in the world.

“England’s visit to Pakistan for the 14 and 15 October 2021 T20Is will provide further lift to our passionate fans, both in Pakistan and across the globe. The nation has waited patiently for cricket to return sustainably to Pakistan and the 2021 tours by South Africa, New Zealand and England will only ensure international cricket is played uninterruptedly.

“The enhanced progress made over the last two years has been down to nurturing relationships with various cricket boards and international players, as well as building trust and confidence.

“The ECB’s confirmation further endorses Pakistan as safe and secure. Importantly, this announcement speaks volumes for the relationship that we have with the ECB and I would like to thank the ECB for their strong will and desire to make this short tour a reality.

“England’s visit in 2021 is an outcome of the PCB’s efforts and hard work to ensure Pakistan cricket continues to move in the right direction.”

[ataullah]

Great news. At least they should have played a 3 match series. 2 matches over 2 days is abit silly but if it opens the door to a full future tour then its worth it.

[Sher Khan]

Slow steps but a positive outcome. One interesting thing is that they arrive only 3 days before the match, meaning no quarantine period is schedules for the tour??

[saeed5646]

2 t20i but England first choice players ❤❤❤

[zain7077]

But but but “PCB were fooled by the ECB”.

[Mir jibran]

2 t20i but England first choice players ❤❤❤

Exactly the best part is it will be England's t20 world cup squad no more rellu kattas

[MenInG]

Karachi, 18 November 2020:

The Pakistan Cricket Board today confirmed England will make their first visit to Pakistan in 16 years when they will play two Twenty20 internationals in Karachi on 14 and 15 October.

England will arrive in Karachi on 12 October, and both the sides will depart for India on 16 October for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup at the end of the series.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed the tour on Tuesday evening following last month’s invite by the PCB for a short tour in January 2021.

Due to the non-availability of its top stars during that period as they will be busy in international cricket, the ECB proposed the short tour in October in the lead up to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, which was welcomed by the PCB.

England last toured Pakistan in 2005 when they played three Tests and five One-Day Internationals. The subsequent series between the two sides in 2012 and 2015 were played in the United Arab Emirates.

PCB Chief Executive Wasim Khan: “I am delighted to confirm that England will be touring Pakistan to play two T20Is in October 2021. This will be their first visit to Pakistan for 16 years and will open the door for both Test and white-ball tours in the 2022-23 season.

“The full-strength England squad will arrive at the backend of our home series against New Zealand. We also expect Australia to visit Pakistan for their FTP commitment in the 2021-22 season, with England returning for both Test and white-ball tours in the 2022-23 season.

“The October 2021 T20Is will allow the leading England cricketers to access and examine the world-class arrangements we will put together, which will give them further encouragement and confidence to not only return in 2022-23 but also express their interest in the Pakistan Super League, which has grown to become one of the top leagues in the world.

“England’s visit to Pakistan for the 14 and 15 October 2021 T20Is will provide further lift to our passionate fans, both in Pakistan and across the globe. The nation has waited patiently for cricket to return sustainably to Pakistan and the 2021 tours by South Africa, New Zealand and England will only ensure international cricket is played uninterruptedly.

“The enhanced progress made over the last two years has been down to nurturing relationships with various cricket boards and international players, as well as building trust and confidence.

“The ECB’s confirmation further endorses Pakistan as safe and secure. Importantly, this announcement speaks volumes for the relationship that we have with the ECB and I would like to thank the ECB for their strong will and desire to make this short tour a reality.

“England’s visit in 2021 is an outcome of the PCB’s efforts and hard work to ensure Pakistan cricket continues to move in the right direction.”

ECB Chief Executive Tom Harrison: “It’s a real pleasure to announce that the England men’s T20I squad will be playing in Pakistan in October 2021. This will be first time since 2005 that an England team has toured Pakistan and, as such, it represents a significant moment for both nations.

“As was demonstrated this summer, we have a strong relationship with the PCB, and the ECB is delighted to be able to play our part in ensuring the safe return of international cricket to this wonderful nation of passionate cricket fans.

“As always, the safety and welfare of our players and staff will be paramount. We are working closely with the PCB to ensure all the necessary plans are in place, especially concerning the anticipated levels of security around the team, the proposed travel protocols and of course the situation regarding the fast-moving and ever-changing COVID-19 pandemic.

“The two-match series will serve as ideal preparation for the England team leading into an ICC T20 World Cup taking place in India during October and November 2021.”

British High Commissioner to Pakistan, Dr Christian Turner CMG: “My goal since arriving in Pakistan has been to welcome the England Cricket Team back. 16 years of waiting is over, and I am delighted that England will play here in 2021.

“A lot of hard work behind the scenes has gone into making today’s news possible and I would like to thank everyone involved. International cricket needs the great stadiums of Pakistan full again – and this tour will do that. UkPakDosti Zindabad!”

[saeed5646]

Exactly the best part is it will be England's t20 world cup squad no more rellu kattas

Will do world of good to Pakistan cricket future. Slowly but things are going in right direction

[watson367]

great news!! hopefully sign of more to come.

[Mesozoic]

Great news. Will be huge for Pak cricket and the PCB if it does happen.

Cricket needs more strong cricketing nations and with regular int'l cricket at home, Pakistan can quite easily become one.

Kudos to the PCB management.

[Mir jibran]

Will do world of good to Pakistan cricket future. Slowly but things are going in right direction

No matter what critics say
Wasim khan is a gem for Pakistan cricket

[saeed5646]

No matter what critics say
Wasim khan is a gem for Pakistan cricket

Both ehsan mani &wasim khan deserves credit to this

[angrypathan]

Full strength boyssss

[The cricket enthusiast]

Full strength boyssss

what if top blokes declined?

[Rana]

I thought we were played?
@Mamoon

[Rana]

what if top blokes declined?

Marzi hai boss.

[Mueez]

MashAllah. Huge news for Pakistan.

[Rana]

Both ehsan mani &wasim khan deserves credit to this

Also the prayers of true Pakistan fans.

[angrypathan]

what if top blokes declined?

Their choice. I think most will probably come since it'll be good preparation for the T20 World Cup

[Hasan123]

Great news. Hope England send their full strength team.

[Shams123]

Apart from Morgan, no one else will have an issue in visiting Pakistan. Roy, Banton, Moen Ali, Adil Rashid, Vince, Billings and many county players have already visited.

[Ashmal]

Great news....it's much better than having a Eng C team in Jan and playing without crowds.

This will serve as a good test before the T20 WC .

I hope the "PCB got fooled" brigade can finally rest now.

[King_Kohli]

Hope they don't send B team.

[Ashmal]

Apart from Morgan, no one else will have an issue in visiting Pakistan. Roy, Banton, Moen Ali, Adil Rashid, Vince, Billings and many county players have already visited.

Even Morgan will come...this is right before the T20 WC, I am sure he would want to get as much practice as he can.

[Rana]

Apart from Morgan, no one else will have an issue in visiting Pakistan. Roy, Banton, Moen Ali, Adil Rashid, Vince, Billings and many county players have already visited.

Morgan, Jos Butler and Stokes.

The guys who are undroppable basically.

[SensiblePakFan]

[Mamoon]

I thought we were played?
@Mamoon

PCB got played because ECB is touring Pakistan at their convenience and not because they are returning PCB’s “favor”.

Pakistan tried hard to peddle the narrative that they toured England to help out ECB when they truth is we were simply looking after our own interests.

The Sky commentators were also foolishly pandering to Pakistan and thanking them, and cricket writers in the UK were also writing a lot of rubbish on how ECB should show gratitude.

However, ECB have made it clear that they do not consider Pakistan’s tour a favor and thus have refused to tour Pakistan during the pandemic.

They are now using Pakistan to get some match practice in India-like conditions right before the WT20.

As far as showering praise on Mani and Wasim are concerned, we need to understand that PCB would not be in a position to host Test cricket, full PSL, convince top teams to tour Pakistan etc. if it wasn’t for the efforts of Sethi and Shahryar.

This duo is capitalizing on the hard work of the previous regime and finds itself at the right place at the right time. It is very foolish to give them all the credit without recognizing the grind of Sethi and Shahryar.

[Rana]

PCB got played because ECB is touring Pakistan at their convenience and not because they are returning PCB’s “favor”.

Pakistan tried hard to peddle the narrative that they toured England to help out ECB when they truth is we were simply looking after our own interests.

The Sky commentators were also foolishly pandering to Pakistan and thanking them, and cricket writers in the UK were also writing a lot of rubbish on how ECB should show gratitude.

However, ECB have made it clear that they do not consider Pakistan’s tour a favor and thus have refused to tour Pakistan during the pandemic.

They are now using Pakistan to get some match practice in India-like conditions right before the WT20.

As far as showering praise on Mani and Wasim are concerned, we need to understand that PCB would not be in a position to host Test cricket, full PSL, convince top teams to tour Pakistan etc. if it wasn’t for the efforts of Sethi and Shahryar.

This duo is capitalizing on the hard work of the previous regime and finds itself at the right place at the right time. It is very foolish to give them all the credit without recognizing the grind of Sethi and Shahryar.

Ab tou aadat si ho gayi hai...to make a bold claim...getting humiliated because it was well out of your depth to make such bold claims....and then to produce absolute nonsense as a response to justify how your bold claim is still valid.

[Markhor]

Despite what the broken record on here says, this is logical scheduling. It serves as a warmup in Asian conditions for England before the T20 WC in India, while Pakistan are able to host another home international series.

[Mamoon]

Ab tou aadat si ho gayi hai...to make a bold claim...getting humiliated because it was well out of your depth to make such bold claims....and then to produce absolute nonsense as a response to justify how your bold claim is still valid.

What bold claim? The news that England were going to use Pakistan to get match practice for the WT20 broke out yesterday.

The point here is that ECB refused to tour Pakistan during the pandemic. It is a slap in the face of all who claimed that PCB did a favor on ECB by touring last summer and ECB are now morally obliged to repay the favor.

[Rana]

What bold claim? The news that England were going to use Pakistan to get match practice for the WT20 broke out yesterday.

The point here is that ECB refused to tour Pakistan during the pandemic. It is a slap in the face of all who claimed that PCB did a favor on ECB by touring last summer and ECB are now morally obliged to repay the favor.

They didn’t refuse, they kindly declined. Not sure why they even had meetings to discuss the feasibility if it was a complete refusal as you are trying to make it sound. But they have decided to go one up and return the favour by hopefully sending a fully strength side as a mark of the mutual respect the ECB and the PCB have for each other.

Well Done Wasim khan, PCB is lucky to have you even though ungrateful Pakistanis have always belittled your efforts sir!

[MenInG]

What bold claim? The news that England were going to use Pakistan to get match practice for the WT20 broke out yesterday.

The point here is that ECB refused to tour Pakistan during the pandemic. It is a slap in the face of all who claimed that PCB did a favor on ECB by touring last summer and ECB are now morally obliged to repay the favor.

You are now making a fool of yourself.

Best to congratulate Pakistanis and wish them all and move on.

[Ashmal]

What bold claim? The news that England were going to use Pakistan to get match practice for the WT20 broke out yesterday.

The point here is that ECB refused to tour Pakistan during the pandemic. It is a slap in the face of all who claimed that PCB did a favor on ECB by touring last summer and ECB are now morally obliged to repay the favor.

This tour was never a part of FTP.
So the ECB were under no obligation to tour Pakistan.

The fact that the tour is happening is enough to know that ECB acknowledges Pakistan's gesture.

[Thunderbolt14]

What bold claim? The news that England were going to use Pakistan to get match practice for the WT20 broke out yesterday.

The point here is that ECB refused to tour Pakistan during the pandemic. It is a slap in the face of all who claimed that PCB did a favor on ECB by touring last summer and ECB are now morally obliged to repay the favor.

Brother, if England touring us after 16 years is us “getting played”, I wish we were played more often. Feel happy for your country, for once.

[Kroll]

Great news, maybe one or two might drop out but will be the main players. Should also be competitive with it being a real home series for once.

[Rana]

So basically the PCB will host South Africa, New Zealand and England at home in 2021 if all goes to plan?

If they pull this off and Inshallah they will pull this off, it would give me more joy than the CT win in 2017!

[NauV]

Very happy with this news! Great job to PCB and all those involved to make this happen . .

However, as a cricket purist, I am really disappointed with the number of T20s we are playing . . T20 should be the 3rd priority in every series! If the schedule doesn't allow, T20 should be skipped rather than ODIs or tests . .

We have played almost no ODI cricket since the world cup and playing 2 test series . . Folks like Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah are getting stupid T20 exposure when they should be playing ODIs and Tests a lot more than T20s . .

Even our NZ tour is 2 test and T20s . . what kind of scheduling is this?

Ideally, I would want T20 to only be a franchise thing with only an international world cup but I know financially ICC can't do that because of the money it bring .. but oh well! Other teams still seem to be playing more ODIs and Tests . .

[Rana]

Very happy with this news! Great job to PCB and all those involved to make this happen . .

However, as a cricket purist, I am really disappointed with the number of T20s we are playing . . T20 should be the 3rd priority in every series! If the schedule doesn't allow, T20 should be skipped rather than ODIs or tests . .

We have played almost no ODI cricket since the world cup and playing 2 test series . . Folks like Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah are getting stupid T20 exposure when they should be playing ODIs and Tests a lot more than T20s . .

Even our NZ tour is 2 test and T20s . . what kind of scheduling is this?

Ideally, I would want T20 to only be a franchise thing with only an international world cup but I know financially ICC can't do that because of the money it bring .. but oh well! Other teams still seem to be playing more ODIs and Tests . .

From December 2020 to September 2021, India will play 13 Tests against Australia and England alone

[MMHS]

Better late than never - best wishes for PAK cricket.

It’ll be a coup to land an official English team in PAK, no matter which players comes. But, since it’s prior to WC, I believe Poms will send their WC final squad with may be few extras, who’ll return back from PAK and final 15 to fly to India.

[Green Patriot]

I am so incredibly hyped up at this news. It's a wonderful feeling. Already can't wait.
May everything go better than planned inshaAllah.

[NauV]

From December 2020 to September 2021, India will play 13 Tests against Australia and England alone

You're rubbing salt in my wound . . haha

I am not asking for a 5 test series . . but at the very least, every series we play needs to be 3 tests . . 2 tests is a joke! Our players need to playing 10 tests a year . . And every series needs prioritize before T20s . .

It will be such a joke if Babar Azam finishes his career with 300 T20s and like 200 ODis .. This needs to be reversed!

[ARK Rafay]

Fantastic news. Hope everything sails smoothly from here on.

[Rana]

You're rubbing salt in my wound . . haha

I am not asking for a 5 test series . . but at the very least, every series we play needs to be 3 tests . . 2 tests is a joke! Our players need to playing 10 tests a year . . And every series needs prioritize before T20s . .

It will be such a joke if Babar Azam finishes his career with 300 T20s and like 200 ODis .. This needs to be reversed!

They also have 3 more Tests against South Africa. I have been worried about this myself for a long time now. A decade of being a regular Test cricketer for Pakistan could mean a maximum of 70-80 Tests in this span. That’s far too low, why do you think we have not produced a fast bowler to take at least 200 Test wickets since God knows when?

Babar should be aiming for 12-15000 ODI runs with his quality, 10-12000 Test runs as well. At this rate, he may only end up on 75-85 Tests before he is too old and is dragging himself due to his reputation just like Tendulkar was in the twilight of his career.

[Markhor]

So basically the PCB will host South Africa, New Zealand and England at home in 2021 if all goes to plan?

If they pull this off and Inshallah they will pull this off, it would give me more joy than the CT win in 2017!

And the West Indies I believe.

[MMHS]

You're rubbing salt in my wound . . haha

I am not asking for a 5 test series . . but at the very least, every series we play needs to be 3 tests . . 2 tests is a joke! Our players need to playing 10 tests a year . . And every series needs prioritize before T20s . .

It will be such a joke if Babar Azam finishes his career with 300 T20s and like 200 ODis .. This needs to be reversed!

Those numbers are not that bad - the world is moving in a way that may not be 300 by 200, but it can definitely be 250/250. Also, Babar will end up playing lot more T20s, because PCB didn’t rest him even against ZIM after 2-0 ......

The numbers will be really bad if he ends up with 300 T20s, 200 ODIs and 100 Tests.......

[zain7077]

They also have 3 more Tests against South Africa. I have been worried about this myself for a long time now. A decade of being a regular Test cricketer for Pakistan could mean a maximum of 70-80 Tests in this span. That’s far too low, why do you think we have not produced a fast bowler to take at least 200 Test wickets since God knows when?

Babar should be aiming for 12-15000 ODI runs with his quality, 10-12000 Test runs as well. At this rate, he may only end up on 75-85 Tests before he is too old and is dragging himself due to his reputation just like Tendulkar was in the twilight of his career.

Don’t worry if YK could do it with similar fixtures so can Babar

[happydavy]

Excellent news for Pakistan cricket, hopefully this is just the beginning and other nations will follow suit.

[MenInG]

Amazing news for �� fans from @EnglandCricket @TheRealPCB - �������������� is coming to ���� in 2021! #cricketisGREAT #HarHaalMainCricket #UKPakdosti pic.twitter.com/ifDUoBMU6f

— Christian Turner (@CTurnerFCDO) November 18, 2020

[Rana]

Don’t worry if YK could do it with similar fixtures so can Babar

Bro this is incorrect. Younis Khan started playing Test cricket India the early 2000s, back then it was just Test cricket and ODIs. Also there was no concept of the Big 3, hence Pakistan’s fixture schedule was pretty evenly spread out. Playing 3 Tests against most teams, 4 against England in England. I also remember that we played 12 Tests against India from 2004-2008.

T20is take up a whole day in the scheduling calander, plus the T20 leagues and PSL are taking up a lot of these dates. At this rate, Babar Azam will most likely end up on 8000-9000 Test runs, 10k-11k ODI runs and plenty of pointless T20i runs. Plus 10-15000 T20 runs playing all the leagues he does.

Whilst 8 or 9k Test runs is very good, and 10-11k ODI runs is also excellent, it will be a massive under achievement for his standard because he is by far the most consistent cricketer in Pakistan’s batting history. He should be hitting 13-15k ODI runs in this modern era. He should be finishing with 11-13k Test runs with his ability and quality.

[Markhor]

However, ECB have made it clear that they do not consider Pakistan’s tour a favor and thus have refused to tour Pakistan during the pandemic.

Is it too difficult to let go of your biases and actually look at the facts instead of twisting events to suit a narrative ?

England are sending their Test squad to Sri Lanka and India over the winter while around 10 white ball cricketers are featuring in the BBL. In addition to sending a D team, the costs of staging a pre-tour training camp and hiring a chartered flight would've cost around £800,000. After £100m in losses this summer, the ECB aren't going to be throwing money down the well. It's better to tour properly taking a full strength side in October instead after the pandemic has eased and crowds could be allowed back.

They are now using Pakistan to get some match practice in India-like conditions right before the WT20.

Which is a win-win for both teams and logical scheduling.

As far as showering praise on Mani and Wasim are concerned, we need to understand that PCB would not be in a position to host Test cricket, full PSL, convince top teams to tour Pakistan etc. if it wasn’t for the efforts of Sethi and Shahryar.

Again, this is a broken record. Everyone gives Sethi and Shehryar credit for laying the groundwork. But they didn't successfully convince the top teams to tour like PCB are now.

This England tour is partly because Wasim Khan and Tom Harrison are reported by the English cricket journos to have a close working relationship. That's also why some English counties may hold pre-season camps in Pakistan, only possible with Wasim's old contacts from the ECB. The MCC tour became a reality after Wasim Khan's presenation to them. In addition, Wasim has gone out of his way to conduct diplomacy with the other boards like NZC and CSA who are touring in 2021 too.

Meanwhile Najam Sethi, your model administrator, was obsessed with useless lawsuits against the BCCI purely for domestic grandstanding which PCB had to foot the legal bills for.

[TeymurBlake]

Great news. Would have liked 3 T20Is, but I would take 2 right now.

Specially with the potential of Tests and ODI cricket tours in 2022 also being held in Pakistan.

[shamaan]

Great news well done to wasim and mani

[Caved12]

Great news!

[BunnyRabbit]

PCB got played because ECB is touring Pakistan at their convenience and not because they are returning PCB’s “favor”.

Pakistan tried hard to peddle the narrative that they toured England to help out ECB when they truth is we were simply looking after our own interests.

The Sky commentators were also foolishly pandering to Pakistan and thanking them, and cricket writers in the UK were also writing a lot of rubbish on how ECB should show gratitude.

However, ECB have made it clear that they do not consider Pakistan’s tour a favor and thus have refused to tour Pakistan during the pandemic.

They are now using Pakistan to get some match practice in India-like conditions right before the WT20.

As far as showering praise on Mani and Wasim are concerned, we need to understand that PCB would not be in a position to host Test cricket, full PSL, convince top teams to tour Pakistan etc. if it wasn’t for the efforts of Sethi and Shahryar.

This duo is capitalizing on the hard work of the previous regime and finds itself at the right place at the right time. It is very foolish to give them all the credit without recognizing the grind of Sethi and Shahryar.

Is it doing anything bad to Pakistan Cricket? No
Is it doing anything bad to England Cricket? No
Is it doing anything good to Pak Cricket? Yes
Is it doing anything good to Eng Cricket? Yes(providing good warm up before wt20)

Looking after your own interests is the key to survival if you don't know already.

Sky Cricket panel is better than any other in the whole world (cricket)

[Technics 1210]

Mashallah great news!

Onwards and upwards!

[zain7077]

Bro this is incorrect. Younis Khan started playing Test cricket India the early 2000s, back then it was just Test cricket and ODIs. Also there was no concept of the Big 3, hence Pakistan’s fixture schedule was pretty evenly spread out. Playing 3 Tests against most teams, 4 against England in England. I also remember that we played 12 Tests against India from 2004-2008.

T20is take up a whole day in the scheduling calander, plus the T20 leagues and PSL are taking up a lot of these dates. At this rate, Babar Azam will most likely end up on 8000-9000 Test runs, 10k-11k ODI runs and plenty of pointless T20i runs. Plus 10-15000 T20 runs playing all the leagues he does.

Whilst 8 or 9k Test runs is very good, and 10-11k ODI runs is also excellent, it will be a massive under achievement for his standard because he is by far the most consistent cricketer in Pakistan’s batting history. He should be hitting 13-15k ODI runs in this modern era. He should be finishing with 11-13k Test runs with his ability and quality.

Well then the only thing we can hope for is that like Misbah and Younis he plays till heMs near 40 and somehow stays consistent.