Pakistan turn to ECB for bio-bubble advice ahead of Zimbabwe visit

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Pakistan

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have sought advice from the England Cricket Board about creating a bio-secure environment for their forthcoming international series against Zimbabwe.

Pakistan’s players and coaching staff experienced the so-called bio-bubble first hand on their tour of England, but the PCB are eager to gain more insight into what goes into hosting a cricket series in the time of a global pandemic.

Even before the pandemic, many nations were reluctant to tour Pakistan over safety concerns; however, the PCB hope to accelerate the return of international cricket by proving they can create a safe bio-bubble.

Zimbabwe to tour Pakistan in October

The Zimbabwe team are expected to reach Pakistan on 20 October and undergo a quarantine period. According to a source inside the PCB, the board is expected to schedule their T20, and ODI matches in Multan and Rawalpindi respectively, following the England model of using one venue per white-ball series.

“These two venues are under consideration since both will be hosting the National T20 Championship in a bio-secure environment because of Covid-19 restrictions,” a PCB source said.

Vital bio-bubble trial run

According to the same source, the Zimbabwe tour is very important to the board as it will determine whether the PCB can invite other teams to Pakistan even if the pandemic is not brought under control in the immediate future.

The PCB also intend to host the four remaining matches of the fifth Pakistan Super League in Lahore in December. The PSL was suspended in March as the virus began to extend its grip into South Asia and the rest of the world. 

The PCB hope to have their domestic season in full swing from late September to February.

Pakistan’s national team and their A-side will tour New Zealand from November while the board are considering options for a series against South Africa. Their choices are believed to be either invite the Proteas for a series before PSL 6 begins in February or to tour South Africa after the league ends in late March.

The PCB is also hopeful for future tours by New Zealand, Australia and England in the next 20 months.

Pakistan lost the Test series in England but shared the T20Is ending off their tour with a win in the final match.

PCB

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