England will play two extra Twenty20 games in addition to the five originally planned during their tour to Pakistan in September-October next year, the two cricket boards said yesterday.
In September, England had followed New Zealand into cancelling a scheduled white-ball tour to the country due to security concerns but later assured they would return in 2022 for a full series comprising five T20s and three tests.
“Myself and England and Wales cricket Board’s (ECB) Senior Director Martin Darlow visited Lahore to talk face to face with the Pakistan cricket Board (PCB) around some of the things that have happened over the past few weeks,” said ECB chief executive Tom Harrison.
“We’re happy to announce that we’ll play two extra white-ball T20Is on our men’s tour of Pakistan in September/October 2022. We will then return after the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Australia to complete the Test match element of that tour.”
“This is just to reaffirm our commitment to Pakistan cricket to getting England teams, men’s and women’s teams, eventually playing in Pakistan at home.”
Raja said: “The ECB have shown their large heartedness to be here. It means a lot to us.”
The announcement comes a day after Australia agreed to play three Tests, three one-day internationals and a one-off T20 in Pakistan starting March next year.
“The tour of Australia and England are important because when you win against teams like them it gives a feel-good factor and team’s standings improve,” said Raja, a former Pakistan captain.