ECB to review security for England’s tour of Pakistan amid concerns over conflict in Afghanistan

ECB to review security for autumn white-ball tour of Pakistan by England’s men’s and women’s teams amid concerns over conflict in neighbouring Afghanistan

  • England are scheduled to visit Pakistan for the first time in 16 years in October
  • Men’s team due to play two T20s and the women’s side two T20s and three ODIs
  • Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan has raised concerns about new security issues 

The ECB will review security ahead of England’s historic tour of Pakistan this autumn amid the crisis in Afghanistan.

England are scheduled to visit the South Asian country for the first time in 16 years in October, with the men’s team due to play two T20s in Rawalpindi and the women’s side facing two T20s and three ODIs.

However, the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan has raised concerns about potential new security issues in neighbouring Pakistan, which has its own ties with the Islamist organisation.

England’s men are scheduled to visit Pakistan for the first time in 16 years in October

England women's side are also facing two T20s and three ODIs against Pakistan this autumn

England women’s side are also facing two T20s and three ODIs against Pakistan this autumn

An ECB spokesperson said: ‘For any tour there’s ongoing security procedures and checks. We continue to plan for the men’s and women’s tour of Pakistan this autumn.’

Pakistan were forced to play home internationals in the United Arab Emirates following a terrorist attack on the Sri Lanka team bus in 2009, with opposition sides only touring again in recent years.

If the series against England go ahead as planned October, it could leave players with difficult decisions to make. Eoin Morgan and Alex Hales skipped a tour of Bangladesh in 2016 because of security concerns.

England are also due to return to Pakistan for full one-day and Test series at the end of next year.

The Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan has raised concerns about potential new security issues

The Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan has raised concerns about potential new security issues

Meanwhile, the Afghanistan Cricket Board expects the Taliban to block their plans to create a national women’s team.

Afghanistan awarded contracts to 25 female players in November but Hamid Shinwari, the board’s chief executive, told the Sports Desk podcast: ‘I think it will be stopped. That is my assumption.

‘We have kept the salaries and they are on our payroll. If the government decides that we don’t go with the national women’s team, we will have to stop it.

‘It is up to the government to decide and, as an employee, we go ahead with the rules and regulations.’

Captain Eoin Morgan skipped a tour of Bangladesh in 2016 because of security concerns

Captain Eoin Morgan skipped a tour of Bangladesh in 2016 because of security concerns

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