Imran adamant on Pakistan's England tour: 'people want to see Cricket start despite Covid'

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Ghan signalled a green light for side's upcoming tour to England in July, citing that people wanted to see game resume despite COVID risk. Pakistan are scheduled to visit UK for three T20s and Tests, although ECB yet to finalise dates for tour. International cricket is all set to resume after a three-month-long hiatus with England taking on West Indies from July 8 in a bio-secure environment. 

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Pakistan PM gives green light

Pakistan PM Imran Khan told PCB chairman Ehsan Mani that side must go to England to play T20s and Tests as people want to see cricket resume despite coronavirus pandemic, a PCB source said according to PTI. Imran, a former skipper himself, insisted that side should follow all required protocols put in place by ECB to ensure safety of players' health. Pakistan PM also directed PCB to t terminate anyone's services until pandemic passes. 

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'We are t expecting anything in return' 

Pakistan's head coach Misbah-ul-Haq expressed his desire for international cricket to resume soon and for or sides to tour his country as ít is important for Pakistan cricket and its fans'. International cricket will resume on July 8 when England will take on West Indies after over a three-month-long coronavirus-forced hiatus. Speaking about Pakistan's scheduled tour to England later in July, former Pakistan skipper said that country wasn't expecting England to return favour and tour Pakistan but it was important to get cricket started once again. 

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Pakistan tour of England 2020

1992 World Cup winners will be touring England for a three-match Test series that will be followed by a three-match T20I series from July 30 to September 2, 2020. Meanwhile, PCB  also anunced that spin legend Mushtaq Ahmed has been named as bowling coach for upcoming tour while former captain as well as batting great Younis Khan has been appointed as batting coach. Earlier in week, PCB cancelled a players’ training camp at National Cricket Academy due to increase in cases of COVID-19 in country. PCB had said that taking into account COVID-19 outlook in Pakistan in coming weeks, operational and logistical matters as well observation that keeping players in a safe and secure environment would remain a challenge, which is why PCB decided t to hold a training camp prior to ir departure for England. Instead, PCB asked ECB to prepare an itinerary which allows Pakistan team to reach London early in June. squad was originally scheduled to land in UK on July 6.

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