England start 1st tour of Pakistan in 17 yrs with T20 today
Tuesday, 20 September 2022
KARACHI, Sept 19 (Reuters): England will kick off their first tour of Pakistan in 17 years tomorrow with the first of a seven-match Twenty20 series which assumes even more importance for both sides ahead of the World Cup in Australia next month.
England were initially scheduled to tour Pakistan last year but it did not materialise because of security concerns. Jos Buttler's men were only given the green light to tour this year after a security team evaluated the situation on the ground. England will play four matches in Karachi and three in Lahore before returning in December to play three Tests in the second leg of the tour.
With Buttler set to miss the Karachi leg as he recovers from a knee injury, the side will be led by Moeen Ali, whose grandfather came to England from Pakistan after the second World War.
"It is going to be memorable playing in front of the Pakistani crowds and also an immense honour to deputize for Jos Buttler, while he recovers from injury, and captain England," Moeen wrote in his column for the Daily Mail.
"Of course, this tour is important for cricket and it is also crucial for us as a side.
"Seven T20s will be a stern test in these conditions and a good pointer for where we are, ahead of the World Cup in Australia next month," added the all-rounder.
England last toured Pakistan in 2005 but at least 10 members of the current squad have some experience of local conditions courtesy of their Pakistan Super League (PSL) stints.