PCB should convince England to tour Pakistan this year: Rashid Latif

The 51-year-old believed that Pakistan had helped the ECB during difficult circumstances

PHOTO: AFP

Pakistan’s former cricketer Rashid Latif has advised the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to utilise the window, which has been created by the postponement of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Twenty20 (T20) World Cup, by convincing England to tour Pakistan in the current year.

The 51-year-old believed that Pakistan had helped the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) during difficult circumstances and it was time that the PCB officials asked their English counterparts to return the favour.

“Pakistan has helped the ECB during difficult circumstances. Now is the time to convince them to tour Pakistan for a three-match series in September or October. According to the current schedule, Australia will be playing a limited-over series in England till 15 September. The ECB officials can then send their team to Pakistan for seven to eight days. Pakistan does not even have a mandatory 14-day quarantine period,” Latif said.

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“The PCB can also take all the precautionary measures taken by the ECB to ensure the safety of teams such as West Indies and Pakistan. The PCB officials should begin a dialogue with the ECB in this regard,” he added.

The former wicketkeeper claimed that the series between Pakistan and England would be an exciting fixture while giving the edge to the Men in Green because of the way the pitches have behaved so far in the series between West Indies and England.

“We will get to see an exciting contest in the upcoming series between Pakistan and England. If we see the same sorts of wickets that are on display in the series between West Indies and England, then I believe Pakistan will have an edge over the hosts. The players in the squad are all very capable and can give great performances in those conditions."

Speaking about pacer Mohammad Amir's inclusion in the squad, Latif said: "Amir will be needed during the Test matches. If he plays in the longer format, Pakistan will benefit from his pace, experience and swing."