England Cricket Board Apologizes to Pakistan: England and Wales Cricket Board Chairman Ian Watmore has issued an apology to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for cancelling the Men's and Women's teams tour of Pakistan. The ECB has also assured that the England team will tour Pakistan for a three-Test and five-ODI match series next year.
Watmore issued a statement saying, "I am deeply sorry for those who are disappointed by our decision, especially the PCB and people of Pakistan. The board took this tough decision keeping the health and safety of out team and staff in mind."
Watmore also told the Daily Mail on Tuesday that the board had not consulted England team players before taking its decision. Watmore said, "The board acted on the decision it took. If we would have had decided to go ahead with the tour, we would have presented a proposal to our players, but it didn't get there."
He further said, "We have planned a proper tour of Pakistan next year, a schedule would soon be prepared according to plan. However, it may take some time to plan this tour. Joe Biden's plan to evacuate US Army out of Afghanistan and New Zealand pulling out of Pakistan tour at the last moment were things that were totally unpredictable for us.
T20 series was to be played in October:
A few days after the cancellation of New Zealand's tour of Pakistan, the England Cricket Board also canceled their tour of Pakistan. England was to play a two-match T20 series as a part of the Pakistan tour. This series was to be organized as preparations for the T20 World Cup.