LAHORE: England will play a two-match Twenty20 International series in Pakistan before both teams leave for the T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates in October.

While the England’s men team will be touring Pakistan after a 16-year break, the England women’s squad, led by Heather Knight, will tour Pakistan alongside their men’ team for the first time.

Both series were initially scheduled to be played in Karachi, but the Pakistan Cricket Board on Friday said it was moving the series to Rawalpindi due to operational and logistical reasons.

“The England men’s side will visit Pakistan in October for two Twenty20 internationals. Both matches will be played at the Pindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi on 13 and 14 October,” said a PCB release.

Pindi Cricket Stadium will host the games on Oct 13 and Oct 14.

Both England squads will arrive on Oct 9.

New Zealand’s cricket team will also tour Pakistan in September — their first after a gap of 18 years — one of many tours that will further restore Pakistan’s image as a safe host for international matches.

The West Indies and Australia are also due to play in Pakistan in the next seven months.

England last toured Pakistan in 2005. In 2012 and 2015 Pakistan had to host England in the United Arab Emirates.

“England’s men’s and women’s teams will arrive in Islamabad on 9 October and both teams will play Twenty20 Internationals on October 14 and 15,” said the PCB.

England’s women will also play three One-day Internationals on Oct 17, 19 and 21 in Rawalpindi.

Schedule:

Oct 9: England men’s and women’s sides arrive.

Oct 13: T20 International double-header — Pakistan women vs England women; Pakistan men vs England men.

Oct 14: T20 International double-header — Pakistan women vs England women; Pakistan men vs England men (T20I double-header).

Oct 17: First ODI — Pakistan women vs England women.

Oct 19: Second ODI — Pakistan women v England women.

Oct 21: Third ODI — Pakistan women v England women.

Published in Dawn, August 14th, 2021