England add two further T20Is to Pakistan tour in 2022

ECB chief executive Tom Harrison met in Lahore with PCB chairman Ramiz Raja, who had been vocal in his criticism of England's decision not to travel for a two-match series ahead of the T20 World Cup

England have added two additional T20Is to their white-ball tour of Pakistan in 2022, which was originally set for a five-match series between the sides but will now comprise seven.

The announcement comes after ECB chief executive Tom Harrison and the governing body’s senior director, Martin Darlow, flew to Pakistan in an attempt to smooth over relations after the controversy that surrounded England’s late cancellation of their planned tour ahead of the T20 World Cup.

Harrison met with PCB chairman Ramiz Raja, who had been vocal in his criticism of England’s decision not to travel after New Zealand pulled out a week earlier.

Following the seven T20Is in September and October, England will later return to play three Tests through November and December at the conclusion of next year’s T20 World Cup in Australia.

Harrison said: “Myself and ECB’s senior director Martin Darlow visited Lahore to talk face-to-face with the PCB around some of the things that have happened over the past few weeks, leading to the cancelation of our tour in October. We also wanted to discuss the future as the two boards have a historic relationship and want to move the agenda towards a forward-looking one as opposed to one looking back.

“This is just to reaffirm our commitment to Pakistan cricket to getting England teams, men’s and women’s teams, eventually playing in Pakistan at home. I don’t think there’s a cricketer in England who doesn’t want to test their abilities against the huge talent this country has and in the conditions they know best.

“We also talked with our colleagues at the PCB around pathway engagement, how we can support proposals around the women’s game and some interesting ideas around the domestic agenda here in Pakistan. We’re going to build on these plans going forward together and we’re excited about that too.”

^{England hosted Pakistan over the summer for a white-ball series and were due to reciprocate ahead of the T20 World Cup}

Raja added: “The ECB have shown their large heartedness to be here for which I am thankful to Tom and Martin. It means a lot to us.

“We put in lot of efforts to make sure that all visiting teams are comfortable in Pakistan. As such, it is a matter of pride for the Pakistan fans, who look forward to welcoming Australia and England in 2022.”

It was confirmed on Monday that Australia’s men’s team will tour Pakistan next March, bringing to an end their 24-year absence from the country.

The monthlong tour, which is scheduled to run from March 3 to April 5, will feature three Test matches, three ODIs and a one-off T20I. Karachi and Rawalpindi will each stage a red-ball fixture while the final Test match and four white-ball fixtures will be held in Lahore.

Australia last toured Pakistan in 1998 for a three-match Test series and three ODIs. The visitors won the former series 1-0 and the latter 3-0.

A subsequent tour was scheduled for 2002 but was later moved to Colombo and the UAE following a suicide bombing in Karachi. Street violence following Pakistan’s general election then prevented Australia from visiting the country in 2008 before the 2009 terrorist attack on Sri Lanka’s team bus put paid to all international cricket in the country for several years.

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