Wasim Akram Hopes For England To Tour Pakistan In 2022

Former Pakistan seamer Wasim Akram has opened up on England Cricket Board’s chances of sending their team to Pakistan in 2022. Currently, Pakistan are playing the English side in their backyard, beginning with the three-match Test series. It is safe to say that the PCB has taken a brave step of sending their team amid the COVID-19 pandemic and Wasim Akram hopes that England will return the favour in two years.

Also Read: MS Dhoni’s Childhood Coach Speculates The Reason Behind His Retirement

As for the current series, Pakistan trail the three-match Test series by 1-0. They lost the first Test in Manchester by three wickets despite remaining in control for most part of the game. The men in green followed the West Indies, who were the first team to visit for this year’s home season for England. The ECB built the bio-secure bubble for the players to protect them from the COVID-19 pandemic.

While PCB CEO Wasim Khan acknowledged that Pakistan do not expect any favours from the ECB, gradually their stance began changing. They revealed that they did England a favour and hopes that their counterpart reciprocates it. PCB chairman Ehsan Mani conceded to the extent that they will play only in Pakistan in 2022 or they won’t play at all. He refused to stage Pakistan’s matches in neutral venues, claiming that the nation is safe to tour now.

Wasim Akram humbly requests England to tour Pakistan in 2022:

From the commentary box during the ongoing second Test in Southampton, Wasim Akram admitted that ECB owes Pakistan cricket plenty. The 54-year old mentioned the likes of Alex Hales and Chris Jordan, who were part of Karachi Kings in PSL, having enjoyed the hospitality in Pakistan.

“Yes, you guys owe Pakistan cricket or Pakistan country a lot in fact, especially boys being coming here and a lot of British players were there from Karachi Kings in our team. There was Alex Hales and Chris Jordan, who loved it, they enjoyed the food, they got looked after beautifully,” Akram stated as quoted by Sky Sports.

The former Pakistan captain went on to credit the government of Pakistan, the board, players, and the staff, who cooperated with England and stayed in the bio-secure bubble. Hence, he hopes that all the stars align for England to visit Pakistan for a bilateral series and promised that they’ll be looked after well.

“I must give credit to the government of Pakistan Cricket Board of course and the team, their staff. They spent almost two and a half months in the bio-secure bubble so if everything goes well, England should tour Pakistan and I promise you that you’ll be looked after on and off the field and every game will be a packed house,” he added.

Also Read: Shoaib Akhtar Calls For BCCI To Arrange A Farewell Match For MS Dhoni