Pakistan announce England series itinerary in UAE

Pakistan cricket authorities on Thursday announced the itinerary for their neutral-venue series against England in the United Arab Emirates from October to November.

Pakistan has been forced to play most of their home matches on the neutral venues of the UAE after militants attacked the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore in 2009.

Zimbabwe were the first Test-playing team in six years to tour Pakistan in May, but top teams have continued to stay away because of the ongoing security risk in the South Asian country, which is battling an Islamist insurgency.

The tour will begin with two warm-up games for the visitors followed by three Tests, four ODIs and finally three Twenty20s.

The first Test will take place in Abu Dhabi between October 13 and 17, the second will be hosted in Dubai from October 22 to the 26 and the third from November 1 to 5 at Sharjah.

The one-day internationals are scheduled for November 11 and 13 in Abu Dhabi, November 17 at Sharjah and November 20 at Dubai.

England will play one T20 practice match against a UAE XI in Abu Dhabi on November 23, before the two T20 internationals matches against Pakistan in Dubai on November 26 and 27.

The series will conclude with the third and final T20 International against Pakistan on November 30 in Sharjah.

"We are most happy to be hosting England for the first series of our home season 2015-16. Like ever, with few exceptions since 1954, we expect this bilateral series to produce cricket of a very high standard," said PCB chairman Shahryar Khan.

Pakistan v England in UAE 2015

30 September: England Team arrive

5-6 October: 2-day match v Pakistan 'A', Sharjah

8-9 October: 2-day match v Pakistan 'A', Sharjah

13-17 October: 1st Test in Abu Dhabi

22-26 October: 2nd Test in Dubai

1-5 November: 3rd Test, Sharjah

8 November: 1-day practice match in Abu Dhabi

11 November: 1st ODI in Abu Dhabi

13 November: 2nd ODI in Abu Dhabi

17 November: 3rd ODI in Sharjah

20 November: 4th ODI in Dubai

23 November: T20 practice v UAE XI in Abu Dhabi

26 November: 1st T20I in Dubai

27 November: 2nd T20I in Dubai

30 November: 3rd T20I in Sharjah

1 December: England depart UAE
Source: AFP