Pakistan announce fixtures for England series in UAE

England, the new world No 1 side in Test cricket, will start their first assignment in the UAE against Pakistan on neutral grounds in the month of January-February.

The Pakistan Cricket Board finalised the itinerary today with Pakistan taking on the in-form English side for three Tests, four one-day internationals and three Twenty20 internationals.

Pakistan have adopted a schedule similar to the series against Sri Lanka which precedes this one with a slight difference.

Both sides have agreed to play two extra games of the more lucrative Twenty20 format at the expense of a fifth one-day international which is standard procedure. The short format should also hold more appeal to the expatriate community in the UAE.

All matches will be held in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Sharjah, which will return to international cricket as a venue for the Sri Lanka series, will miss out on this one.

Programme

Jan 3: England team arrive

Jan 17-21: 1st Test - Dubai

Jan 25-29: 2nd Test - Abu Dhabi

Feb 3-7: 3rd Test - Dubai

Feb 13: 1st one-day - Abu Dhabi

Feb 15: 2nd one-day - Abu Dhabi

Feb 18: 3rd one-day - Dubai

Feb 21: 4th one-day - Dubai

Feb 23: 1st Twenty20 - Dubai

Feb 25: 2nd Twenty20 - Dubai

Feb 27: 3rd Twenty20 - Abu Dhabi

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