Lagatar24 Desk
After the cancellation of New Zealand’s tour of Pakistan at the very last minute on Friday, now England is reconsidering the tour of Pakistan. England is scheduled to play T20 with Pakistan in October. New Zealand on Friday announced the cancellation of Pakistan tour just before the start of the first ODI in Rawalpindi due to security reasons. Now the England and Wales Cricket Board has also issued a statement saying that it will consider the tour and will convey its decision within 48 hours.
This statement by England Cricket Board is a matter of serious concern for Pakistan as England’s men’s and women’s teams are to tour Pakistan next month. The men’s team has to play T20 matches on 13 and 14 October in Pakistan before the T20 World Cup. After that the English team has to go to UAE to play T20 World Cup from Pakistan. Now it is believed that the English team will not go to Pakistan and reach the UAE directly. England women’s team also has to play T20 and ODI series in Pakistan. At the same time, the England women’s team has to play a series of 3 ODIs in addition to 2 T20 matches on Pakistan tour. T20 matches are to be played on 13th and 14th October, while ODI matches are to be played on 17th, 19th and 21st October.
A spokesman for the English Cricket Board (ECB) said, “We are aware that New Zealand’s tour of Pakistan has been canceled due to security reasons. So our security agency which is based in Pakistan will analyze the situation and as it tells us we will take a decision accordingly in the next 24 to 48 hours.” Interestingly, this tour of England is very important for Pakistan cricket board, as England has not toured Pakistan since 2005. The series of two T20 matches before the World Cup is being seen as a new beginning. Pakistan also played cricket in England inside Bio-bubble at the time of lockdown.
The England Test team is also planned for a tour of Pakistan next year, but it is too early to say anything about that tour. However, it is certain that if this tour is canceled at this time due to security reasons, then it will also affect the Test tour of 2022.
