Pakistan to play 2 Tests in England

Karachi, July 2: Pakistan will play a two-Test series in England against the home side next year in April-May, a spokesman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said.

The series was finalized during the bilateral discussions between the officials of the two boards after the International Cricket Council (ICC) meeting at Lord's last week.

The PCB officials tried to persuade their counterparts in England to increase the number of Tests to at least three. But their request was declined on the ground that next year's programme had already been finalized.

The PCB spokesman said the board didn't want to play a two-Test series but was left with no other option as the previous board had already accepted the proposal.

"We have beaten England in England three times in a trot. But the last time we got a five-Test series was in 1992.Pakistan beat England 1-0 and then 2-1 in the 1987 and 1992 five-Test series respectively. In 1996, Pakistan won 2-0 in a three-Test series.

The PCB spokesman said Pakistan was willing to play against Bangladesh in the inaugural Test but said further discussions will be held in Nairobi, Kenya, during the ICC knock-out tournament in the directors meeting.

"Bangladesh are currently in the process of contacting all the cricket boards. But who will play them first will be decided there as all the boards will come up with their availabilities."