Pakistan cricket squad decided to tour England amid the novel coronavirus pandemic. Pakistan also became the second team to tour England after the cricket resumption. The players were put beneath a bio-secure environment with stringent guidelines in place. The players were not permitted to enter the bio-secure bubble without undergoing Covid-19 tests and also isolate themselves from the external world.
Pakistan is currently playing the second Test of a three-match series at Southampton, which follows an England-West Indies series last month that marked international cricket’s return from lockdown.
Tom Harrison, the CEO of ECB has expressed gratitude towards West Indies and Pakistan for visiting England amidst the pandemic.
At the moment, the veteran Pakistan captain and fast-bowling legend Wasim Akram has alleged that England must visit Pakistan in 2022 returning the visit of Azhar Ali and his team regardless of the coronavirus pandemic
“You boys owe Pakistan cricket, and the country, a lot, with the boys coming over here,” former Pakistan captain Akram told Sky Sports Cricket.
“They’ve been here almost two-and-half months in the bio-secure environment,” he said, denoting to safety measures that comprised zones off-limits to everyone other than players and officials. Matches have been played without audiences.
“So, if everything goes well, England should tour Pakistan,” said Akram, arguably the greatest left-arm pacer.
“I promise you they’ll get looked after on and off the field there and every game will be a packed house.”
Many crews have declined to visit Pakistan due to a militant attack on the Sri Lanka side bus in the city of Lahore in 2009.
England last visited Pakistan in 2005-6 but then Akram was hopeful the participation of English players in the PSL would aid alleviate England’s security alarms.
“The English players were there for the Pakistan Super League in our team, Karachi Kings – Alex Hales and Chris Jordan, they loved it, they enjoyed it, they got looked after beautifully, so the PSL is a step in the right direction.” Akram, bowling coach of the franchise, said.
“England are due to tour in 2022, and we’d love to have them coming over well before then for a shorter tour,” said Khan, a Birmingham-born former batsman with several English counties. “It’s something that we’ll speak to the ECB about.”
