As Sports community gears up to the new normal post Pandemic, various series and leagues have started rolling out their schedules.
England too, has confirmed locations and dates for their upcoming matches against Pakistan and Ireland in England. Ireland will visit later this month for three ODIs, while Pakistan has already arrived in the country ahead of Test and T20I series.
Ireland had been due to play their series, part of the World Cup Super League, in September but agreed to move the games forward, with all three ODIs to be held behind closed doors in Southampton from July 30 to August 4.
The first Test against Pakistan will begin a day later in Manchester, with the teams then moving down to Southampton for the second and third matches at the Ageas Bowl, starting on August 13 and 21. They will return to Manchester for T20Is at Emirates Old Trafford on August 28, 30 and September 1.
"Confirmation of these matches against Ireland and Pakistan is another important step for our game as we begin to safely stage international cricket again, but also to minimize the impact the Covid-19 pandemic has had and will continue to have, on cricket at all levels," ECB chief executive Tom Harrison said.
"We owe a significant debt of gratitude to the players, staff and administrators of the Cricket West Indies, Cricket Ireland, and the Pakistan Cricket Board for their willingness and co-operation to get international cricket back up and running and allow these matches to be staged.”
"Sports fans across the world will benefit as international cricket returns to our screens while it will also provide much-needed financial aid at all levels of cricket in England and Wales as we aim to withstand the challenges in front of us,”Harrison added
England Cricket Board (ECB) is working to schedule more cricket matches in the coming future. They confirmed that discussions remained ongoing about the possibility of Australia touring, and a proposed women's tri-series featuring England, India and South Africa.