PCB announces schedule of historic home Test series against England

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the details of the upcoming Test series against England which will be played in December. As previously announced, England are scheduled to play seven T20I matches in Pakistan starting from September 20 to October 2. England then travel to Australia for a three-match T20I series as their final preparation for the upcoming 2022 T20 World Cup.

Pakistan have smashed the Netherlands by 3-0 in the three-match ODI series and are preparing for the upcoming 2022 Asia Cup starting on August 27. They will travel to New Zealand for the Tri-Nation T20I series involving Bangladesh as well. Then they participate in the T20 World Cup in Australia which is scheduled from the 22nd of October to the 13th of November.

Pakistan tour will be an historic occasion: England CEO Clare Connor

England play their first Test match in Pakistan after a big gap of 17 years at Rawalpindi from December 1-5 and then travel to Multan for the second Test starting on December 9. Karachi will host the third and last match from December 17. Pakistan are placed in the fifth position in the World Test Championship table with 56 points (in nine matches) and England are in the seventh position with 64 points (in 17 Test matches). PCB director Zakir Khan said that they are looking to fulfill the expectations of the fans and ECB CEO Clare Connor believes that the series will be an historic occasion for both nations.

“We are pleased that Pakistan and England Test rivalry, which has historically produced close and tight matches, will return to our backyards in December. Both the sides have evolved since they last played in Pakistan in 2005 and have recently been playing entertaining and exciting cricket. I remain confident this series will live up to the expectations of the global cricket fans who want to watch and enjoy competitive and thrilling matches,” PCB director of international cricket Zakir Khan said in an official statement.

 “The return of our men’s Test team to Pakistan for the first time since 2005 will be an historic occasion. The opportunity to play Test cricket in front of passionate cricket-lovers in Pakistan after such a long time is something to be cherished. We have been working closely with the PCB over recent months and I am grateful to them for everything they have done, and continue to do, to make our Test and T20 tours a mouth-watering prospect for all involved,” said ECB CEO Clare Connor.

Schedule

1st Test: December 1-5, Rawalpindi

2nd Test: December 9-13, Multan