England's tour of Pakistan set to be postponed to October next year

England's much-awaited tour of Pakistan for a short T20 series early next year is set to be postponed to October due to unavailability of top players and matters related to costs.

According to media reports tour, which was tentatively scheduled for January-February, is expected to be moved to October before T20 World Cup in India.

" problem arising is that early next year England will be engd in series with Sri Lanka and India and some of ir T20 specialist players are also signed up for Big Bash in Australia," a source aware of developments said.

" or problem is costs involved in England touring Pakistan. As it is just a three-match series with Karachi likely venue, costs of flying English team by a chartered flight after holding a training camp in Dubai does t make it cost-effective for England board," he said.

He said both boards had discussed more viable option of shifting series to October as that would allow full England T20 team to stop over in Pakistan for short series before flying to India," source said.

England has t played in country since 2005 due to security reasons and when Pakistan and English boards confirmed y were considering a short tour, it gave a big boost to Pakistan cricket. "Even PCB didn't want a 'C' team from England playing early next year as it is a big series and a breakthrough for Pakistan cricket."

Pakistan is also due to host South Africa early next year for two Tests and three T20 Internationals.

(Im credits: AP)