The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has sent an official invitation to England to play three T20Is in January 2021 confirmed Geo News on Thursday.
PCB CEO Wasim Khan told Geo News, " We have received positive signals from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) after we sent a letter to them earlier this week inviting England’s team to tour Pakistan in January 2021."
Wasim Khan also confirmed that a security delegation from South Africa will visit Pakistan in November this year to access the security situations in the country, so that the scheduled South Africa tour of Pakistan would go ahead as planned.
“We have taken another step towards bringing cricket to Pakistan and have formally invited England for a series of three T20Is in Pakistan. I am in contact with my England counterpart for the last few days and they’re considering our invitation,” he said.
Also Read: England Considering To Tour Pakistan For Three T20Is In January 2021
“It will be a very important series for us to improve our image as a host and we’ll do our best to make it happen,” he said.
While asked about the current tensions between Cricket South Africa (CSA) and their government, Wasim Khan added, "The crisis in Cricket South Africa (CSA) won't trouble the team’s tour to Pakistan and series will go ahead as scheduled."
We Are Committed To Help Pakistan Bring Cricket Home: ECB
The England Cricket Board (ECB), meanwhile, responded positively to the invitation sent by the PCB.
The ECB said in their official statement, "After discussions with the Pakistan Cricket Board, we can confirm the England and Wales Cricket Board has received an invitation in respect of a short white-ball tour to Pakistan during the early part of 2021."
"As with any proposed tour that takes place at this time, the safety and welfare of our players and staff are paramount. As such, several factors need to be taken into consideration, including the proposed protocols concerning COVID-19 bio-secure bubbles, the proposed levels of security around the team, as well as the feasibility of undertaking this tour against the backdrop of an already busy schedule of international cricket for the England men’s team.
"We will be liaising with the PCB, and as well as other partners over the coming weeks to work through these considerations before a final decision will be taken in due course." It said.
The statement added, " The ECB welcomes the fact that international cricket is returning to Pakistan and is committed to doing what we can to help this develop further."
England cricket team last toured Pakistan back in 2005. If this tour goes ahead as planned, the teams like Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa will be much easier to fulfil their promises and complete the proposed tours until 2022.
