England Cricket team head coach Chris Silverwood has stated that the English team has no issues touring Pakistan for a bilateral series. He said so while speaking to media after the end of the opening day of the first test match against Pakistan in Manchester. After the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) expressed desire to host England, Silverwood said that he and the entire English side is ready to travel to the Asian country for a complete bilateral series.
Last time a team travelled to Pakistan was back in February when Bangladesh went there. The series was cancelled after the first Test match due to rising cases of coronavirus worldwide. Earlier in 2009, the Sri Lankan team faced a terrorist attack in Lahore, Pakistan. Since then, most of the international boards barred their teams from travelling to Pakistan. The effect of that terrorist attack was not only on cricket but also on the other sporting events as well.
Pakistan have since tried each and everything to bring back cricket in their nation, hoping that the younger generations could get some motivation for playing cricket in the country. Pakistan became successful in bringing cricket back to its nation for the first time in 2015 when Zimbabwe toured the nation.
“I think we are getting there. Personally, I would have no problem with that. I’ve never been to Pakistan so it would be nice to go and have a look,” Silverwood said as quoted by Cricket Pakistan. “I know our batsmen would look forward to batting on their wickets. For me, it’s great that it’s back at top of the conversation” the former English paceman said.
The Cheif Executive of Pakistan Cricket Board Wasim Khan had urged the English board to send their team to Pakistan before they are rescheduled to return in 2022 for another Test series in England. He also highlighted that Azhar Ali’s side had agreed to travel to Britain during this coronavirus pandemic even when the situation in Britain is among the worst in entire Europe.
“England are due to tour in 2022, and we’d love to have them coming over well before then a shorter tour”, Wasim Khan told Sky Sports on Wednesday.
