England Cricket on August 22 (Monday) announced the schedule for the Three Lions' three-match Test series against Pakistan later in the year. England will tour Pakistan for the first time in 17 years to play a Test series. The last time the Three Lions traveled to Pakistan to play a Test series was back in 2005.
The series will commence on December 1 after a three-day warm-up match between England and Lions in Abu Dhabi.
"The return of our men’s Test team to Pakistan for the first time since 2005 will be an historic occasion. The opportunity to play Test cricket in front of passionate cricket-lovers in Pakistan after such a long time is something to be cherished," Clare Connor, ECB Interim Chief Executive Officer, said in a release.
"We have been working closely with the PCB over recent months and I am grateful to them for everything they have done, and continue to do, to make our Test and T20 tours a mouth-watering prospect for all involved," he added.
The first Test match will be played in Rawalpindi, second in Multan and the last Test in Karachi.
Schedule:
1st Test: 1-5 December, Rawalpindi
2nd Test: 9-13 December, Multan
3rd Test: 17-21 December, Karachi
"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 Zakir Khan, PCB Director of International Cricket.
"Both the sides have evolved since they last played in Pakistan in 2005 and have recently been playing entertaining and exciting cricket. I remain confident this series will live up to the expectations of the global cricket fans who want to watch and enjoy competitive and thrilling matches."
Meanwhile, England is also scheduled to travel to Pakistan next month to face off in a seven-match T20I series.
