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After 17 years, England’s first test series in Pakistan will begin in Rawalpindi before matches in Karachi or Multan in December, as announced by the Pakistan Cricket Board. Rawalpindi will host the first test from December 1-5, then the second test in Multan from December 9-13, and the final test from December 17-21 at the National Stadium in Karachi.
Given the historical context, only 2 matches out of 44 had been lost by Pakistan at Karachi, with one of the defeats coming against England in 2000. England’s last tour was in 2005, while Pakistan was forced to play international matches at neutral venues because of security concerns following an attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team on a bus in 2009.
England played a seven-match T20 series in Pakistan from 20th September to 2nd October as a build-up for the ongoing T20 World Cup in Australia before returning in December for the Test series. On England’s last tour 17 years ago, Pakistan cherishes good memories of beating England by 22 runs in Multan.
“We are pleased that Pakistan and England test rivalry, which has historically produced close and tight matches, will return to our backyards in December,” said PCB director Zakir Khan. He also said, “Pakistan cricket fans have waited for almost 17 years to see elite England players in action”. It was called a “historic moment” by Clare Connor, the Interim Chief Executive of the England and Wales Cricket Board. As a matter of fact, Pakistan is 5th in the WTC points table, while England is 7th.
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