The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is in a generous mood and willing to take up the bilateral series between Pakistan and Australia in its own country while also playing hosts to its own series against a ‘homeless’ Pakistan team.
The ECB has opted to host the bilateral series between Pakistan and Australia in July 2010 keeping in mind the difficult touring proposition for Australia after what happened in March 2009 in Lahore to the Sri Lankan cricketers. It will give Pakistan the opportunity to continue to nurture their cricket, albeit outside their own land. The ECB also stated that Pakistan being the ICC World Twenty20 champions, the interest they have garnered will only further increase during the Test series.
England is planning to host its own bilateral series with Pakistan in the UK itself as it faces a situation not similar to Australia’s. Already the England did a turnaround in India after the attacks in Mumbai in November 2008 but came back to keep their commitment. While they have stated that the scenario in Pakistan is much different from that in India, there are whispers that England has planned this tour for August-September 2010 to allow the England cricketers the chance to play at home instead of touring abroad, of which they have never been great fans.
The ICC Champions Trophy will now be played in South Africa instead of Pakistan.
Australia Refuse Champions Trophy in Pak; Non committal on Sri Lanka as venue
ICC Avert One Crisis even as They Sink Further in Another
ICC in Action Mode in Desperate Champions Trophy Salvage
Division Apparent with Asian Bloc over Champions Trophy
South Africa Sound Off Champions Trophy Considerations
Champions Trophy- Edition Through the Ages
Champions Trophy Deferred; Not Scrapped
India say no to Champions Trophy, Pakistan Faces Further Opposition
India Rethink Champions Trophy, But Conditions Apply
Australia Wary of Touring Standard Labels
