LAHORE: Finally, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Monday confirmed an updated schedule of Pakistan’s matches which they will play during the ongoing England tour comprising three Tests and as many T20 Internationals.

The series, according to the updated schedule, starts with the first Test from Aug 5 at Old Trafford, Manchester.

The Pakistan squad had reached England on June 28. Since then the tourists have been undergoing practice sessions in Worcester after clearing their Covid-19 tests, both in Pakistan and England.

However, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) could not announce the final itinerary because various kinds of permission from different government departments were necessary to hold the series safely. Still, the ECB remains cautious that any change in the itinerary could be made if Covid-19 pandemic situation changes.

"The opening Test will be played at Old Trafford, Manchester from Aug 5-9, which will be followed by back-to-back Tests at the Ageas Bowl, Southampton, from Aug 13-17 and Aug 21-25," a PCB press release stated on Monday.

“The action will then return to Manchester as Old Trafford will be the venue for three T20Is, which will be played on Aug 28 and 30, and Sept 1,” it further said.

From Worcester, the Paki­stan team will travel to Derb­yshire on July 13, after passing 14 days in quarantine.

During this period the team has been training and practicing. From Derbyshire, the tourists will leave for Manchester on Aug 1 to play the first Test.

Series itinerary (subject to changes):

July 6-12: Practice, intra-squad matches (New Road)

July 13: Travel to Derbyshire

July 15-30: Practice, intra-squad matches (County Ground)

Aug 1: Travel to Manchester

Aug 5-9: First Test (Old Trafford, Manchester)

Aug 10: Travel to Southampton

Aug 13-17: Second Test (Ageas Bowl, Southampton)

Aug 21-25 Aug: Third Test (Ageas Bowl, Southampton)

Aug 26: Travel to Manchester

Aug 28: First T20 International (Old Trafford)

Aug 30: Second T20 International (Old Trafford)

Sept 1: Third T20 International (Old Trafford)

Sept 2: Departure for Lahore.

Published in Dawn, July 7th, 2020