The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) have decided against sending their men’s and women’s teams for Pakistan tour next month.

The England teams were each scheduled to play two Twenty20 international matches on October 13 and 14 in Rawalpindi, with the women's side due to stay on for a three-match one-day international series from October 17-21.

“Earlier this year, we agreed to play two additional T20 World Cup warm-up games in Pakistan in October, adding a short women’s tour with double headers alongside the men’s games,” the ECB said in a statement.

“The ECB Board convened this weekend to discuss these extra England Women’s and Men's games in Pakistan and we can confirm that the Board has reluctantly decided to withdraw both teams from the October trip,” the statement added. “The mental and physical well-being of our players and support staff remains our highest priority and this is even more critical given the times we are currently living in.”

“We know there are increasing concerns about travelling to the region and believe that going ahead will add further pressure to a playing group who have already coped with a long period of operating in restricted COVID environments,” it added.

The ECB added that the men’s team touring under such conditions would not be ideal preparation for the Twenty20 World Cup next month.

“We understand that this decision will be a significant disappointment to the PCB, who have worked tirelessly to host the return of international cricket in their country,” it added. “We are sincerely sorry for the impact this will have on cricket in Pakistan and emphasise an ongoing commitment to our main touring plans there for 2022.”

New Zealand abruptly abandoned their tour of Pakistan on Friday citing a security alert, in a massive blow to the South Asian country's hopes of staging regular international cricket.