England cricket team arrives in Pakistan after 17 years for seven-match T20 series

Karachi [Pakistan], September 15 (ANI): The England cricket squad reached Pakistan on Thursday for the first time in the past 17 years for a seven-match long T20I series scheduled to start on September 20.
England competed in Pakistan in 2005 and were scheduled to return last year before cancelling at the eleventh hour after New Zealand also withdrew from the tour owing to safety concerns.
After an attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore in 2009, Pakistan was compelled to play international matches in neutral sites such as the United Arab Emirates, where they hosted England for series in 2012 and 2015.
International cricket has steadily returned to Pakistan over the last five years, and Australia toured successfully earlier this year for the first time in nearly a quarter-century.
The tour also takes place when Pakistan is dealing with devastating floods that have submerged roughly a third of the country and affected at least 33 million people.
The 19-man England squad, led by skipper Jos Buttler, will play seven Twenty20 matches against Pakistan in Karachi and Lahore from September 20 to October 2 as both teams prepare for the T20 World Cup in Australia next month.
England will return to play three five-day Test matches in December.
The Pakistan Cricket Board has brought a commentary team for the historic seven T20 Internationals between Pakistan and England in an effort to improve the TV viewing experience of cricket fans around the globe.
Renowned English commentators David Gower and Mark Butcher, Pakistani cricket luminaries Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Aamir Sohail, Bazid Khan, and Urooj Mumtaz, will give commentary on the seven games, which will take place in Karachi and Lahore from September 20 to October 2.
These analysts will also share insights in pre and post-match broadcasts hosted by acclaimed presenter Zainab Abbas throughout the season. (ANI)