Pakistan announce England series in UAE

KARACHI, July 23: Pakistan cricket authorities on Thursday announced the itinerary for their neutral-venue series against England in the United Arab Emirates from October to November.
Pakistan has been forced to play most of their home matches on the neutral venues of the UAE after militants attacked the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore in 2009.
Zimbabwe were the first Test-playing team in six years to tour Pakistan in May, but top teams have continued to stay away because of the ongoing security risk in the South Asian country, which is battling an Islamist insurgency.
The tour will begin with two warm-up games for the visitors followed by three Tests, four ODIs and finally three Twenty20s.
The first Test will take place in Abu Dhabi between October 13 and 17, the second will be hosted in Dubai from October 22 to the 26 and the third from November 1 to 5 at Sharjah.
The one-day internationals are scheduled for November 11 and 13 in Abu Dhabi, November 17 at Sharjah and November 20 at Dubai.
England will play one T20 practice match against a UAE XI in Abu Dhabi on November 23, before the two T20 internationals matches against Pakistan in Dubai on November 26 and 27.
The series will conclude with the third and final T20 International against Pakistan on November 30 in Sharjah.
“We are most happy to be hosting England for the first series of our home season 2015-16. Like ever, with few exceptions since 1954, we expect this bilateral series to produce cricket of a very high standard,” said PCB chairman Shahryar Khan. (Agencies)