Published 15:20 IST, August 4th 2020

PCB chief Ehsan Mani claims international teams would love visiting Pakistan for tours now

PCB chairman Ehsan Mani has stated that the board will not use Pakistan’s current tour of England in order to gain leverage for a reciprocal tour by England.

Reported by: Jatin Malu
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Pakistan are set to lock horns with England in three Tests and as many T20Is starting August 5. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) followed Cricket West Indies' (CWI) lead and took a major decision to tour England amidst risk associated with COVID-19 pandemic. On or hand, PCB couldn't make a deal with England Cricket Board (ECB) for a reciprocal tour. However, recently, PCB Chief Executive Wasim Khan had stated in a podcast that y are optimistic that ECB will return favour by touring Pakistan in 2022.

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England vs Pakistan 2020: PCB chairman claims tours of Pakistan is 'out of this world'

w, PCB chairman Ehsan Mani has contradicted Wasim Khan's words and stated that board will t use Pakistan’s current tour of England in order to gain lever for a reciprocal tour by England. Ehsan Mani also urged England to tour Pakistan saying that country is safe to play cricket. While speaking to Sportsmail, Ehsan Mani said that PCB has t linked anything with this tour but he suggested that cricket needs to get toger.

PCB chairman furr said that he has been in discussions with England since he became chairman of board. Ehsan Mani pointed that y have had ECB CEO Tom Harrison in Pakistan and added that he enjoyed his time and y wanted to make him feel comfortable. Maniis confident that  levels of security will be good in Pakistan.

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He said that his wife Frances drives herself around freely in Islamabad and he doesn’t feel need for any security or guards. Mani went on to say that place in world is risk-free, but all things being equal, he doesn’t see why England can’t visit Pakistan. PCB chairman asked people to change ir perception about country and urged m to visit Pakistan once. 

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Ehsan Mani stated that people are pleasantly surprised by what y see in Pakistan. He cited example of Dave Richardson saying that when he was chief executive of ICC, he was out for dinner at midnight in Pakistan and was amazed that restaurants were all full.  PCB chairman claimed that if a team like England came to Pakistan, it would be 'out of this world'.

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Mani also said how teenrs come up to him in tears and say y’ve never seen Test cricket in Pakistan. He added that England players are well followed in Pakistan, but only ever on TV. Mani reiterated that seeing m in real life would be a fantastic experience for people and much better than empty stadiums in Dubai or Sharjah.

England vs Pakistan 2020 Test series will begin on August 5 with opening Test at Old Trafford. England vs Pakistan 2020 Test series will see teams competing in three Tests and as many T20Is. England vs Pakistan 2020 T20I series will be played in Manchester from August 28. 

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England will also host Ireland in three ODIs from July 30 to August 4. Pakistan will be led in T20I format by Babar Azam on tour of England. However, prior to that, Babar Azam's batting prowess will hold key for Pakistan to succeed in England vs Pakistan 2020 Test series as well.

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IM COURTESY: ANI

15:20 IST, August 4th 2020