Pakistan to kick start England Tour on August 5

Pakistan are set to begin their Test series against England on August 5, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed on Monday (July 6). The 1st Test will be played at Old Trafford, Manchester.

Before the Tests against Pakistan, England are scheduled to play three ODIs against Ireland at Southampton. The 1st ODI will be played on July 30, followed by August 1 and 4 respectively. The hosts will then proceed to Old Trafford to play the 1st Test against Pakistan. The 2nd and 3rd Test will be played at The Rose Bowl, Southampton. Both teams will then play out 3 T20Is from August 28 to September 1.

“Confirmation of these matches against Ireland and Pakistan is another important step for our game as we begin to safely stage international cricket again, but also to minimise the impact the Covid-19 pandemic has had and will continue to have, on cricket at all levels,” ECB CEO Tom Harrison said.

Meanwhile, the ECB continues their discussions with Cricket Australia on the rescheduling of their limited-overs series. The tri-series between England, India and South Africa Women’s teams will also be rescheduled.

“Sports fans across the world will benefit as international cricket returns to our screens while it will also provide much-needed financial aid at all levels of cricket in England and Wales as we aim to withstand the challenges in front of us. It must be reiterated that there is still much work for the ECB and the cricket network to do as we try to plot a path through this pandemic,” Harrison added.

The Pakistan cricket team has already arrived in the UK on June 28 and all members are currently undergoing a 14-day quarantine period in Worcester. They will proceed to Derbyshire on July 13 to begin their pre-Test preparations.