Rawalpindi is all set to host the first Test match of this all-important England Test tour of Pakistan, which begins on December 1st. Multan will host the second Test, the last Test at this venue was played in November 2006! Karachi, where England memorably won the series in the middle of the night in December of 2000, will host the last Test of this series.
 |
| Image Credits: The Indian Express |
In reality, the Test series is the trip's second leg. It started on September 20th with a game in Lahore and ended on October 2nd in Karachi as part of a seven-game Twenty20 international series. The teams would then jet to Australia for the Twenty20 World Cup before returning to Pakistan for the Test series.
Before heading to Pakistan, the England Test squad spent a week in Abu Dhabi, beginning on November 18th, where they faced the England Lions in a three-day encounter starting on November 23rd. Batters from both the teams got good practice as England declared their innings at 501/7 and England Lions, in reply, scored 415/9.
Keeping the match aside, Jofra Archer made a return to the side playing for England Lions and showed good signs of fitness. He bowled 9 overs with the ball and also came out to bat and scored 20 runs off just 11 deliveries!
It has been 17 years since England last toured Pakistan for a Test series and this upcoming series, no doubt, would be thrilling to see visiting side finally there for these games! Under the new head coach, Brendon McCullum, and new captain, Ben Stokes, the England team was invincible beating New Zealand, India, and South Africa at home. This tour of Pakistan would be the first overseas assignment for this new coach-captain of England.
Pakistan, on the other hand, were defeated in the hands of Australia at home and registered a come-from-behind victory to level the 2-match Test series in Sri Lanka. One can expect tight competition between these two teams in this upcoming 3-match Test series in Pakistan.
Test Series Schedule:
Test #1: Dec 01 - 05, Pakistan vs England. Venue: Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
Test #2: Dec 09 - 13, Pakistan vs England. Venue: Multan Cricket Stadium, Multan
Test #3: Dec 17 - 21, Pakistan vs England. Venue: National Stadium, Karachi
0 Comments