England and Wales Cricket Board announced that the England limited-overs side will tour Pakistan in October 2021 for a two-match T20I series to be taken as a preparatory tour for the T20 World Cup scheduled to be played in India in November 2021.
The two T20Is will be played in Karachi on 14 and 15 October 2021, while the team would land in Pakistan on 12th October and depart for India on 16th.
It would be the first tour of Pakistan for the England team in 16 years as the ECB confirmed it Tuesday evening following last month’s invite by the PCB for a short tour in January 2021.
Although England have played bilateral series with Pakistan in 2012 and 2015 that had taken place in UAE as the team last toured Pakistan in 2005 and played three Tests and five One-Day Internationals.
“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,” Tom Harrison, ECB Chief Executive Officer said in a Press Release.
Stressing that both ECB and the Pakistan board have a strong relationship, Harrison said that the ECB was delighted to be able to play its part in ensuring the safe return of international cricket to the ‘wonderful nation of passionate cricket fans’.
Wasim Khan, PCB Chief Executive was also happy with the announcement and said that it will serve as a watershed moment in international cricket's return to Pakistan.
“I am delighted to confirm that England will be touring Pakistan to play two T20s in October 2021. This will open the door for both Test and White Ball tours in 2022-23. 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 2022-23,” he said.
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