England team touches down in Pakistan for first T20I series in 17 years

Pakistan to host England in Karachi and Lahore for a seven-match T20I series, starting September 20.

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Pakistan’s international home season is set to begin as England arrives in Karachi tomorrow, marking their first tour of Pakistan in 17 years.

The English team will play seven T20 Internationals, starting from September 20, with the matches split between Karachi and Lahore.

England captain Jos Buttler will hold a press conference upon arrival at 2:00 PM at a local hotel in Karachi. The team’s first training session will take place on September 16 at 7:00 PM at the National Stadium, while Pakistan will commence their preparations a day later.

Karachi will host four matches between September 20 and 25, before the series shifts to Lahore for the final three games, running from September 28 to October 2.

On September 8, Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Mohsin Naqvi addressed the uncertainty surrounding the venues for the upcoming three-match Test series between the national team and England.

Media reports indicated that the series, originally set to begin on October 7, may face a schedule change, with the venue potentially shifting to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) due to ongoing renovations at major stadiums in Pakistan.

England head coach Brendon McCullum, speaking at The Oval before England's third Test against Sri Lanka, expressed frustration over the uncertainty.

“We don’t really know (what is happening in Pakistan) but we can’t pick a team until we know where we’re going to play,” he said. “It would be nice if, over the next couple of days, we found out.”

In response to the concerns, Naqvi confirmed that the Test series will proceed in Pakistan, with matches being held in Multan and Rawalpindi. He also assured that the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is satisfied with the arrangements.

“The home Test series against England will be held in Multan and Rawalpindi,” Naqvi said.

“We are in touch with the England board and they are satisfied,” he added.

The series, part of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25, is scheduled to take place from October 7 to 28.

Naqvi also confidently stated that the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will be hosted in Pakistan, despite ongoing uncertainty about India's participation in the tournament.

The event is scheduled to be held from February to March 2025, but India’s involvement remains unclear as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) awaits government approval for the team's visit.

Earlier, England was seeking clarity about their upcoming Test tour of Pakistan due to reports suggesting that some matches might be moved to another country.

Concerns have arisen because of ongoing construction at the proposed venues for the series. Media reports indicate that the schedule for the three-Test series, starting on October 7, might be changed.

England is set to play the first Test in Multan, with subsequent matches planned for Karachi and Rawalpindi.

However, renovations in preparation for next year’s Champions Trophy are causing problems at the Karachi and Rawalpindi venues.

There are suggestions that one or more of the matches could be relocated to the United Arab Emirates or Sri Lanka. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is waiting for further information to make a decision.