Due to the ongoing pandemic, all the three test matches and t20 matches are decided to be played indoor. PCB has also precluded the holding of camps for the players and has advised them not to train outdoors at the moment.
The Pakistan Cricket Board recently released a statement saying:
“Taking into account the pandemic outlook in Pakistan in the coming weeks, the operational and logistical matters as well the observation that keeping players in a safe and secure environment would remain a challenge, the Pakistan Cricket Board has decided not to hold a training camp of the national men’s team prior to their departure for England”
Pakistan Cricket Board
The revised schedule for the matches was released on May 2020.The Pakistan vs England test series are expected to begin from July 30th 2020 and will take place in Old Trafford followed by the T20 series that are expected to commence from August 29th 2020 taking place in Rose Bowl.
Pakistan Vs England Test Series Schedule
| England vs Pakistan Starts from 3:00pm | July 30 -August 3 (1/3) |
| England vs Pakistan Starts from 3:00pm | August 7-11 (2/3) |
| England vs Pakistan Starts from 3:00pm | August 20-24 (3/3) |
Pakistan Vs England T20 Series Schedule
| England vs Pakistan Starts at 10:30pm | 29 August (1/3) |
| England vs Pakistan Starts at 6:30pm | 31 August (2/3) |
| England vs Pakistan Starts at 10:30pm | 02 September (3/3) |
Haider Ali, Shadab Khan and Haris Rauf have been tested positive for the ongoing disease, confirms the PCB.
PCB released a 29 man squad for the Pakistan tour of England 2020 declaring Babar Azam as a captain for t20 series and vice captain for test series while Azhar Ali captaining the test side. Later PCB on 22 June 2020 confirmed that Haider Ali, Haris Rauf and Shadab Khan are virus positive due to which they were advised to stay self-isolated. It came as a major blow to Pakistan cricket team as more players contracted the virus.
Despite the continuous increase in the positive tests the tour took place as per schedule and the squad departed for the tour the following morning from Allama Iqbal International Airport. However strict measures are taken to ensure the safety of players.
PCB has announced that ongoing virus testing would be based upon three rounds before leaving for England and once the team arrives at England they would be tested on every five days intervals. PCB has also assured that those players who are recovered from the virus can join the squad later.
The director of England cricket board showed his concerns about the situation but has chosen to stay optimistic about the series saying that there are no chances for the series to respite.
He further added “We are far enough away from the start of the test series to not worry about that too much at the moment.”
The 29 men based player squad will travel together to eliminate any unforeseen problems and cater the need in case of any injuries:
PCB has lately announced that there would be 29 players leaving for the tour together which will make the replacement much easier.
On 12th June PCB disclosed a complete list of squad.
Fans are disappointed as Mohammed Amir is not added in the squad list. He has chosen to stay back as he expects the birth of his child. Hasan Ali is also out with a back injury and Haris Sohail has opted not to travel due to the pandemic. Younis Khan and Mushtaq Ahmed are appointed as batting and bowling coaches for the series.
Complete list of Squad for Pakistan vs England Matches
| Azhar Ali (test captain) (middle order batsman) | Babar Azam (T20 captain) ( middle order batsman) | Abid Ali (opener) |
| Wahab Riaz (wk) | Imad Waseem (spinner) | Kashif Bhatti (spinner) |
| Shadab Khan (spinner) | Yasir Shah (spinner) | Usman Shinwari (wk) |
| Fakhar Zaman (opener) | Khushdil Shah (middle order batsman) | Imran Khan (wk) |
| Iman ul Haq (opener) | M. Hafeez (middle order batsman) | Mohammad Abbas (wk) |
| Shan Masood (opener) | Shoaib Malik (middle order batsman) | Mohammad Hasnain (wk) |
| Asad Shafiq (middle order batsman) | Mohammad Rizwan | Naseem Shah (wk) |
| Fawad Alam (middle order batsman) | Sarfaraz Ahmed (middle order batsman) | Shaheen Afridi (wk) |
| Haider Ali (middle order batsman) | Faheem Ashraf (wk) | Sohail Khan (wk) |
| Iftikhar Ahmad (middle order batsman) | Haris Rauf (wk) | Mohammad Hafeez (middle order batsman) |
Mohammad Hafeez tested Covid-19 negative a day after he was tested positive for the virus by PCB tested reports.
Mohammad Hafeez has confronted the PCB. He was tested positive for the ongoing virus according to the reports tested by PCB.
Hafeez stated that he again went for the test privately for his satisfaction. He made a statement on his twitter saying: –
After tested positive according to PCB testing reports yesterday, as second opinion and for satisfaction I personally went to test it again along with my family and here I along with my family members are reported negative, Alhamdulilah, may Allah keep us all safe.
Muhammad Hafeez via Twitter
He attached a report on Twitter.
Here is what ICT T20 Cricket Fans are saying:-
Shoaib Malik believes Pakistan will win the T20 World Cup #cricket
Muhammad Nouman via Twitter
PCB requested ICC to take written guarantee from BCCI of granting visa to Pakistan Team for T20 WC2021, WC2023 BCCI in reply — “PCB should guarantee us that Pakistan Govt will not violate ceasefire, no Pulwama attack will repeat and no terror attack will be made from their side”
PCB has asked ICC to take written assurance from BCCI that Pakistan will not face difficulty regarding visas for T20 WC2021 and WC2023. BCCI has been hesitated for Indo-Pak bilateral series and further Modi Sarkar didn’t allowed Pakistan to feature in many sports events in India.
Arfa Feroz Zake via Twitter
Unforgettable defeats of Pakistan!
1- ICC T20 WC 2007 Final.
2- Pak vs Aus 2nd Test at Sydney.
3- ICC T20 WC 2010 Semi Final.
4- ICC CWC 2011 Semi Final.
Ahmed Kazim
Save this tweet, mark the God damn date because feels are AA GAYEN HAIN. We’re smashing the Angrez 3-0 in their own back yard!!! #PakVEng
Waqas Ahmed