England to tour Pakistan after 16 years in October 2021

Pakistan came to England after the cricketing action resumed post COVID-19 for a T20I and Test series. During that time, Pakistan took an agreement from England Cricket Board (ECB) that they would visit Pakistan in 2021. The PCB just confirmed that England would mark its historic visit on their soil after 16 years, where the two nations would indulge in two T20Is in Karachi on October 14 and 15. The tour got delayed due to the unavailability of players from the English side.

Eoin Morgan and his men would land in Karachi on October 12, and both the squads would take up their journey for India together on October 16. The two teams will set foot in India for the mega-event, the Men’s T20 World Cup. The England and Wales Cricket Board gave a final nod to the tour on Tuesday evening, keeping in view the invite by Pakistan for a mini-tour in January 2021.

The main reason, as stated, was the unavailability of players from the England side as they would be occupied in T20 leagues as well as national commitments. In that light, ECB proposed a short tour, and the move has been welcomed with open arms by PCB. England last went to Pakistan in 2005, where they locked horns for three Tests and five ODIs. Further, two series were played between the two nations in 2012 and 2015 in the UAE.

Pakistan ready for the historic series in 2021

“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,” said PCB Chief Executive Wasim Khan as quoted by Sportstar.

“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 the first time since 2005 that an England team has toured Pakistan and, as such, it represents a significant moment for both nations,” said ECB Chief Executive Tom Harrison.