England’s tour of Pakistan is off
England’s proposed limited-overs tour of Pakistan early next year has been delayed, the PA news agency understands.
Scheduling issues have forced the England and Wales Cricket Board to put plans for a return to the country for the first time since 2005 on hold.
Scheduling clashes
The proposed dates would have clashed with England‘s scheduled matches against Sri Lanka and India, and the ECB did not wish to mark the occasion with a weakened squad.
However, a series in Pakistan remains a high priority and hopes remain that the visit can be re-scheduled for next autumn.
Pakistan played three Test matches, three one-day internationals and three T20s in England last summer, despite difficulties posed by the coronavirus pandemic.
International cricket in Pakistan was put on hold in 2009 after gunmen attacked the Sri Lankan team bus during the second Test in Lahore.
England have subsequently played Pakistan on neutral territory in the United Arab Emirates, but Pakistan have indicated that any future meeting must be on home soil.
Earlier, Jos Buttler has urged his England colleagues not to suffer in silence if life on tour with England gets difficult this winter.
Latest
-
Women's Cricket
It’s a lot of fun – Heather Knight still enjoying captaining England
Knight succeeded Charlotte Edwards, who had a decade-long stint in the position, in June 2016.
-
England
On this day in 2018: Kevin Pietersen retires from professional cricket
The latter years of the Pietermaritzburg-born maverick’s career were spent on the T20 circuit.
-
England
Jofra Archer snaps off stump on impressive return from injury in India
The 28-year-old took two for 22 in seven overs.
-
County Cricket
Darren Gough steps down as managing director of cricket at Yorkshire
Gough said it was the “right time” to move on having been in the post since December 2021.
-
England
On this day in 2004: Steve Harmison takes seven for 12 against West Indies
The pace bowler produced a devastating spell at Sabina Park 20 years ago.
-
England
Jos Buttler feels refreshed and ready to enjoy ‘best years’ of his career
England’s white-ball team endured a poor 2023 which culminated in the disastrous defence of their World Cup crown in India.
-
England
Jos Buttler confident ‘special cricketer’ Jofra Archer will be fit for World Cup
Archer has not represented his country since last March when he featured in a T20 match in Bangladesh.
-
Indian Premier League
England batter Harry Brook withdraws from IPL following death of his grandmother
Brook pulled out of England’s five-Test tour to India before the squad flew out from their training camp in the United Arab Emirates.