Pakistan Cricket Board Struggles To Close In Venues For England Series, Series On Line To Be Postponed

The England tour of Pakistan for the two-match T20 international series is likely to be postponed after the confirmation of venue is still in awaiting from the Pakistan Cricket Board. England had already confirmed that they will be touring Pakistan for a T20 series on October 14 and October 15, however, the venue hasn’t been finalized yet.

Pakistan has a packed international schedule in hand already ahead of the T20 World cup with the two test series coming up against West Indies in August. It will be followed by a limited-overs home series against New Zealand in September and the T20 Worldcup starts in UAE on October 17.

Chances Of Pakistan Hosting Full Strength England Seems Bleak

Pakistan Super League was earlier shifted to UAE after the pandemic situation and a source questioned about England entering the nation despite the PSL being shifted. The source added that Sri Lanka could be the only choice for the venue which looks out of reach and reminded that England could miss out on their big players too with IPL set to resume.

“When the PCB can’t host the PSL (Pakistan Super League) in its own country because of the pandemic, how can it even think that England will tour Pakistan? The only option left is having it in Sri Lanka, which doesn’t seem feasible. Even if the tour does happen, England will have to do without their IPL stars.” a source said to the Telegraph

“Most of the top players want to play the IPL this time because of the T20 World Cup which begins on October 17. It gives them an opportunity to get used to the conditions in time for the showpiece event,” he added

England Postpones The Tour Of Bangladesh

England postponed the tour of Bangladesh that was expected to be held ahead of the T20 Worldcup in September and October to March 2023. This will almost be a breather for both sides with the tight schedule they had in place already. Both the countries have agreed to send their players for the resumption of IPL 2021 to gain adequate match practice.

The tour is planned to take place in the first two weeks of March 2023, with three ODIs and three T20Is due to take place in Dhaka and Chattogram,” the statements said.

The big guns like Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes, Jason Roy, Eoin Morgan could all be joining their IPL franchises in UAE.