-ECB welcomes PCB’s invitation
-Potential England tour will give confidence to others: Mani
Bureau Report
Lahore: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has invited the England cricket team for three T20Is in the country in January next year, sources told ARY News.
According to the sources, PCB’s Chief Executive Wasim Khan has extended an invitation to England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to send their team for three T20Is in Pakistan.
The proposed dates of the tour are between January 13 to 20, 2021. The tour will subject to the COVID-19 situation internationally and travel restrictions. If England tours Pakistan, this will be their first tour to the country after 15 years.
It must be noted here that Pakistan toured England for three Tests and as many T20Is this year in COVID-19 times. The tour held in a bio-secure environment where cricketer remained in bio-secure bubble throughout the whole tour.Meanwhile, The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has welcomed Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) formal invitation for three T20Is in January 2021.
ECB released an official statement where they looked eager to make the white-ball tour happen in respect to Pakistan’s recently concluded tour of England during the COVID-19 pandemic where they played three Tests and as many T20Is.\ “After discussions with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), we can confirm the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has received an invitation in respect of a short white-ball tour to Pakistan for England Men during the early part of 2021,” ECB said in a statement.
“We welcome the fact that international cricket is returning to Pakistan and are committed to doing what we can to help this develop further,” the statement added.
ECB clarified that the tour will take place after assessing all the measures that include security and the COVID-19 situation.
“The safety and welfare of our players and staff is paramount. There are a number of factors that need to be taken into consideration, including the proposed protocols in relation to 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.” the statement added. ECB further added that they will cooperate with the PCB and other stakeholders over the coming weeks before taking a final decision.
