The England cricket team will tour Pakistan for a two-match T20 International series next October, first time in 16 years, as part of a reciprocal agreement reached between the two cricket boards, reported PTI.

Both England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and its counterparts from Pakistan confirmed on Wednesday.

The two games, to be held in Karachi on October 14 and 15, will be a part of the build-up to the 2021 T20 World Cup in India.

Although the Pakistan Cricket Board invited England to visit the country in January next year, owing to the unavailability of top players and matters related to costs, the ECB had to reschedule their visit.

“I am delighted to confirm that England will be touring Pakistan to play two T20Is in October 2021,” PCB chief executive Wasim Khan told PTI.

“This will be their first visit to Pakistan in 16 years and will open the door for both Test and white-ball tours in the 2022-23 season. The full-strength England squad will arrive at the back-end of our home series against New Zealand. We also expect Australia to visit Pakistan for their FTP commitment in the 2021-22 season, with England returning for both Test and white-ball tours in the 2022-23 season,” said Khan. He was confident that the October visit will be an opportunity for leading England cricketers to “access and examine the world-class arrangements.”

“This will give them further encouragement and confidence to not only return in 2022-23 but also express their interest in the Pakistan Super League,” said the PCB executive. The England Team will arrive in Karachi on October 12, and both sides will depart for India on October 16 for the ICC T20 World Cup.

Captained by Marcus Trescothick, in the 2005 tour, England played three Tests and five One-Day Internationals. Pakistan bettered England in the Test series by a margin of 2-0, however, the ODIs turned out to be a tighter affair with Pakistan winning 3-2. 

The subsequent series between the two sides in 2012 and 2015 were played in the United Arab Emirates.

ECB chief executive Tom Harrison said: “It’s a real pleasure to announce that the England men’s T20I squad will be playing in Pakistan in October 2021.”

“This will be the first time since 2005 that an England team has toured Pakistan and, as such, it represents a significant moment for both nations. In a way, England are returning the favour after Pakistan toured the Old Blighty after restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic were lifted earlier this year,” said Harrison.

“As was demonstrated this summer, we have a strong relationship with the PCB, and the ECB is delighted to be able to play our part in ensuring the safe return of international cricket to this wonderful nation of passionate cricket fans,” the ECB executive told PTI.

“As always, the safety and welfare of our players and staff will be paramount. We are working closely with the PCB to ensure all the necessary measures are in place, especially concerning the anticipated levels of security around the team, the proposed travel protocols and the situation regarding the ever-changing COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.