Pakistan, England to play Twenty20s in Dubai

Pakistan are set to play two Twenty20 internationals against England in Dubai in February to warm up for the ICC World Twenty20 in the West Indies at the end of April.

"We have reached an agreement to play two Twenty20 matches against England on February 19 and 20 as part of our preparations for the World Twenty20 next year," Wasim Bari, the Pakistan Cricket Board's chief operating officer, told AFP.

Pakistan wind up their tour of Australia on February 5 while England will head to Dubai a month after their tour of South Africa concludes. The World Twenty20 will be held between April 30 and May 16.

Pakistan are the defending champions and Bari said the latest development was aimed at discovering more talent. "We see the two matches as an opportunity to try and develop some new players and give more and more players the opportunity to play at the top level," Bari said.

He added that the Pakistan A team will take on England A for a series of three one-dayers in the UAE later in the year.