[REPORTS] Pakistan ready to tour England this summer

[Abdullah719]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Reports that Pakistan are ready to tour England this summer. Further discussions are to be held between ECB and PCB before a final decision is made, but it seems that the Pakistan squad is likely to arrive in England in early July <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cricket</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ENGvPAK?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ENGvPAK</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/1261372743703986176?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 15, 2020</a></blockquote>
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[saeed5646]

If rumours are true pak will travel with 25 players

 

[WhenSultansBowled]

Great news.

Looking forward to Pakistan Vs England series!

Empty stadiums will be a shame but I'm sure fans want to be entertained

 

[Rana]

It was bound to happen. Pakistani players are not softies no matter how mediocre they are at times

 

[Square Drive]

Can't wait for this!

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

So excited about this. Should be fun even if its without spectators.

 

[aloo paratha]

The world will be (almost) back to normal soon enough. A long term lock down is just not sustainable.

 

[Bezli]

The world will be (almost) back to normal soon enough. A long term lock down is just not sustainable.

Predictions state, Second wave about to come soon. So let’s hope we all stay safe.

 

[chazam]

It was bound to happen. Pakistani players are not softies no matter how mediocre they are at times

So it’s good for Pakistan players when they travel and Indian are crazy to go on a scheduled tour to Australia and bcci is risking their lives?

 

[Kroll]

Pak were always going to be ready to tour, ie money. But in reality, it doesn’t change anything on the ground as things stand.

 

[Hawkeye]

Things should be back to normal soon hopefully.

Almost all the countries are re-opened as of now, with some precautions.

 

[Markhor]

Since we cannot play warmups against counties, we'll have to take a large squad so the guys can get match practice against each other.

 

[Rana]

So it’s good for Pakistan players when they travel and Indian are crazy to go on a scheduled tour to Australia and bcci is risking their lives?

Yes. BCCI has no moral standards

 

[Rana]

Pak were always going to be ready to tour, ie money. But in reality, it doesn’t change anything on the ground as things stand.

As Indian fans argue here,

Pak has nothing to gain financially from an away tour.

 

[chazam]

Yes. BCCI has no moral standards

And you do ??

 

[Rana]

And you do ??

Definitely more than BCCI

 

[Rana]

Thank you so much PCB and Wasim Khan for saving our cricketing summer!

 

[Smbhayi]

So no greedy, risking lives type of comments?

 

[chazam]

Definitely more than BCCI

you got double standards mate..you are happy if pakistan tours but if india tours you got a problem with them.

Talk about blatant double standards and downright jealousy.

 

[Rana]

you got double standards mate..you are happy if pakistan tours but if india tours you got a problem with them.

Talk about blatant double standards and downright jealousy.

*Afridi blows kiss gif*

 

[MenInG]

According to media reports, the PCB and ECB have had a fruitful discussion on Friday and Wasim Khan has confirmed the following:

1. The PCB has now agreed in principle to send our cricket team to England in July,

2. No player will be forced to go on this tour - If a player doesn't want to go, PCB will accept their decision and take no disciplinary action.

3. Manchester and Southampton will be the likely venues for the Test series and the ECB will announce a third venue soon.

4. Biosecurity arrangements will be made by the host country and medical staff will remain with Pakistan team throughout the tour. Pakistan players will be tested and regular temperature checks will be ensured.

5. It is hoped that both the English and Australian cricket teams will tour Pakistan in 2022.

 

[Rajdeep]

It will be a good series. As long as they don't pick London as one the venues, players will be safe. I dont think London will be open for any sport this entire year but other parts of UK should be fine.

 

[HitWicket]

It will be a good series. As long as they don't pick London as one the venues, players will be safe. I dont think London will be open for any sport this entire year but other parts of UK should be fine.

I doubt any games will take place in London because both grounds lack accommodation facilities, but you realise London has one of the lowest R values (i.e the least chance of getting infected by someone) in the UK?

 

[Rana]

Lords has a few hotels and player accommodations at a very small walking distance.

Plus they have a hospital 2 minutes away at St Johns Wood. Lords should be considered as a venue but our players need to remain under strict curfew because plenty of friends/family will try to take them out

 

[HitWicket]

Lords has a few hotels and player accommodations at a very small walking distance.

Plus they have a hospital 2 minutes away at St Johns Wood. Lords should be considered as a venue but our players need to remain under strict curfew because plenty of friends/family will try to take them out

Not sure hotels in walking distance would really be much better than grounds where players have to bus to hotels? It means players can walk to the hotel but walking to a hotel, even if a short distance, still means some potential increased exposure to the public, which I'd have thought is more risky than hopping on a coach with everyone else you're already in an isolation bubble with.

 

[coy0607]

Tour has to go ahead - otherwise setting precedent for NO cricket for 2+ years till there's a vaccine. Cricket boards can use the revenues too
Not to mention, there will probably be significant global appetite for cricket

 

[Rana]

Not sure hotels in walking distance would really be much better than grounds where players have to bus to hotels? It means players can walk to the hotel but walking to a hotel, even if a short distance, still means some potential increased exposure to the public, which I'd have thought is more risky than hopping on a coach with everyone else you're already in an isolation bubble with.

You have a silly objection to everything

It’s not so hard to ensure that players can go to the ground without any contact with the public. This isn’t hard to police.

 

[Savak]

One thing is clear, this is going to be a very boring tour for the players. The players too need a break from cricket and some recreation. Without entertainment they will eventually become depressed and suffer from mental health issues

 

[Rana]

One thing is clear, this is going to be a very boring tour for the players. The players too need a break from cricket and some recreation. Without entertainment they will eventually become depressed and suffer from mental health issues

Pak should tour in August. Lots of the entertainment industry would be reopened by then. Expecting the ECB to also help with booking out venues/social spots for the players to feel entertained.

 

[HitWicket]

You have a silly objection to everything

It’s not so hard to ensure that players can go to the ground without any contact with the public. This isn’t hard to police.

I'm not objecting to anything, simply pointing out the reduced risks of travelling in a coach rather than have the players wandering down the road potentially exposed to members of the public. Closing a main road in central London in a way that prevents any idiots from getting anywhere close to the teams isn't particularly realistic and would would require significant staffing if it did. It also limits you to pretty much a single option in regards to the choice of hotels around Lords for that plan to be feasible. I don't think it's particularly silly to suggest putting the players on a coach is a more sensible and likely alternative.

 

[IMMY69]

You have a silly objection to everything

It’s not so hard to ensure that players can go to the ground without any contact with the public. This isn’t hard to police.

It’s literally one zebra crossing between The Danubius and Lords... extremely easy to manage

 

[IMMY69]

I'm not objecting to anything, simply pointing out the reduced risks of travelling in a coach rather than have the players wandering down the road potentially exposed to members of the public. Closing a main road in central London in a way that prevents any idiots from getting anywhere close to the teams isn't particularly realistic and would would require significant staffing if it did. It also limits you to pretty much a single option in regards to the choice of hotels around Lords for that plan to be feasible. I don't think it's particularly silly to suggest putting the players on a coach is a more sensible and likely alternative.

Actually on non match days the 50 yard strip of foot path between the hotel and lords is not at all busy for pedestrians... if game is played behind closed doors then it will be like a normal day

 

[HitWicket]

Actually on non match days the 50 yard strip of foot path between the hotel and lords is not at all busy for pedestrians... if game is played behind closed doors then it will be like a normal day

What hotel are you talking about? There's only one hotel (whether it'd be suitable or not I have no idea) a reasonably close enough distance to Lords for road-closures to even be considered and that's about 150 yards walk alongside an A road from the closest gate to Lords?

Added lets not underestimate the idiots who will gather outside the ground for behind closed doors games.

 

[Rana]

You can already predict Pakistan will lose the Old Trafford Test. We are poor on this ground. Hoping for Lords to come through as a venue

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

You can already predict Pakistan will lose the Old Trafford Test. We are poor on this ground. Hoping for Lords to come through as a venue

Have we ever won a test match @ Old Trafford? Only remember us getting humiliated there.

 

[Rana]

Have we ever won a test match @ Old Trafford? Only remember us getting humiliated there.

I think there was one in 2001 when Wasim picked up a couple of big wickets on no balls that went uncalled

But it’s one venue where Pakistan turn up like the Pakistan playing Australia in Australia

 

[msb314]

You can already predict Pakistan will lose the Old Trafford Test. We are poor on this ground. Hoping for Lords to come through as a venue

I hope we get a test at The Oval - that’s where we have the wood over England..

 

[Rana]

I hope we get a test at The Oval - that’s where we have the wood over England..

Oval is very unlikely, I believe it’s situated between a residential area and there is no players hotel nearby. It’s a tough venue considering the situation. But lords is manageable

 

[Kroll]

Do we have enough quality to challenge on any of the venues? Babar and Shaheen need to fire to have any hope.

 

[HitWicket]

On second thoughts having seen the article in the other thread about a few hundred people being required to stay in isolation for the game I'm not sure any ground outside Old Trafford and the Rose Bowl looks likely even with coaches to the hotel.

 

[MenInG]

Think both sides will be rusty and the one which wakes up first should win!

 

[hitthestump]

Home advantage will be even more crucial when you've got two teams without match practice.

Also some PP'ers like to say that fitness doesn't matter in cricket. Tell me it doesn't matter when the team in better shape outclasses the other. I predict fitness is going to be a massive factor here.

 

[Junaids]

Pakistan should refuse to tour.

It’s a terrible idea.

The UK is the worst affected place in the world: 40% of the USA’s deaths but only 20% of the population.

The UK is totally unsafe. They still haven’t closed their borders, testing is barely adequate and there is no contact tracing.

If Pakistan tour too many members of the team will end up infected, and ultimately they will end up killing elderly relatives upon their return and spreading it into Pakistan more than it already is.

I’m 50 and my parents are 80 this year. I was due to fly to visit them in Manchester next month and to attend two Euro’2020 matches. Obviously I cancelled.

They have been in Total home isolation for ten weeks now. Like me, they are doctors.

And we know that until or unless a vaccine is developed, I will never see them again, nor will my sister who only lives in London.

The UK is not safe. I pity people like poor [MENTION=9]Saj[/MENTION] who have to live there.

No responsible management can send a team there during a pandemic. It’s monstrous to even think about doing so.

I don’t care what leverage the PCB dreams that it can extract in return. The lives of elderly relatives of the players and management matter more than whether Pskistan reverts to playing in empty stadia in Dubai or Rawalpindi.

 

[Junaids]

What kind of unethical and morally bankrupt equivalence is this?

“We placed our team in danger by touring your country when it was dangerous so now you should do the same”.

This is absolute immoral madness.

(And if the PCB is dumb enough to tour, the team should already be in camp now!)

 

[Bullet Drive]

Pakistan should refuse to tour.

It’s a terrible idea.

The UK is the worst affected place in the world: 40% of the USA’s deaths but only 20% of the population.

The UK is totally unsafe. They still haven’t closed their borders, testing is barely adequate and there is no contact tracing.

If Pakistan tour too many members of the team will end up infected, and ultimately they will end up killing elderly relatives upon their return and spreading it into Pakistan more than it already is.

I’m 50 and my parents are 80 this year. I was due to fly to visit them in Manchester next month and to attend two Euro’2020 matches. Obviously I cancelled.

They have been in Total home isolation for ten weeks now. Like me, they are doctors.

And we know that until or unless a vaccine is developed, I will never see them again, nor will my sister who only lives in London.

The UK is not safe. I pity people like poor [MENTION=9]Saj[/MENTION] who have to live there.

No responsible management can send a team there during a pandemic. It’s monstrous to even think about doing so.

I don’t care what leverage the PCB dreams that it can extract in return. The lives of elderly relatives of the players and management matter more than whether Pskistan reverts to playing in empty stadia in Dubai or Rawalpindi.

I'm in the UK

It's worse on the outside

 

[Hawkeye]

[MENTION=132916]Junaids[/MENTION] It's all OK brother.

We have to learn to live with this new reality. Everyone is re-opening, as they should, and things won't become much worse than what the flu does each year.

Some precautions will be taken, and that is all that's needed. They may even be re-tested and quarantined when they return back home.

Or that might not be needed in August when the world is back to its normal anyway.

 

[SensiblePakFan]

Finally, some great international cricket to savour once more. Best format in England as well.

 

[WhenSultansBowled]

What kind of unethical and morally bankrupt equivalence is this?

“We placed our team in danger by touring your country when it was dangerous so now you should do the same”.

This is absolute immoral madness.

(And if the PCB is dumb enough to tour, the team should already be in camp now!)

Budesliga has started and so far things are as expected in these "uncertain" times.

I'm sure PCB/ECB medical advisors will take their precautions. They could ask players to quarantine for 2 weeks after the tour is finished etc.

I'm more worried about probable injuries.

All that said, you do have a point. Calling it immoral madness is a stretch; but I'm afraid we all have to adjust to what they are calling "new normal".

 

[Junaids]

[MENTION=132916]Junaids[/MENTION] It's all OK brother.

We have to learn to live with this new reality. Everyone is re-opening, as they should, and things won't become much worse than what the flu does each year.

Some precautions will be taken, and that is all that's needed. They may even be re-tested and quarantined when they return back home.

Or that might not be needed in August when the world is back to its normal anyway.

I was visited in February by two nurses from Sheffield who are longstanding friends. They are 53 years old.

They got back home in mid-March. Both have caught Coronavirus at work in Sheffield due to a lack of PPE, and one ended up in Intensive Care.

Even the Prime Minster was in Intensive Care three weeks ago.

My heart goes out to people who are stuck there, and who may not realise the danger they encounter every day.

But I'm no hypocrite. Just as I don't think teams should tour Pakistan at times of terrorism, I think that my country - England - is not safe to tour currently.

 

[Hadi Rizvi]

This will be fun.

Let's how we do under Azhar's test captaincy with a young-ish team.

Should wrap up the T20s tho.

 

[Junaids]

Budesliga has started and so far things are as expected in these "uncertain" times.

I'm sure PCB/ECB medical advisors will take their precautions. They could ask players to quarantine for 2 weeks after the tour is finished etc.

I'm more worried about probable injuries.

All that said, you do have a point. Calling it immoral madness is a stretch; but I'm afraid we all have to adjust to what they are calling "new normal".

Germany is vastly safer than the UK. They do far more testing, but more to the point they contact trace every single positive case - whereas the UK gave up months ago.

If I were the PCB and ICC I would have a roadmap for each country for what they have to do to be allowed to host international cricket. And off the top of my head the preconditions would be:

1. Must have testing of at least 1 in 700 of the nation's population every day.
2. Must demonstrate contact tracing has occurred for at least 8 weeks for 100% of all positive cases.
3. Virus must have a reproduction rate below 0.4.
4. Demonstrate that borders have been closed to all international arrivals for at least 4 weeks.

Whether it is sport, or the economy, if you can't prove that all 4 of those conditions are met you should still be in lockdown, certainly not playing sport.

 

[WhenSultansBowled]

This will be fun.

Let's how we do under Azhar's test captaincy with a young-ish team.

Should wrap up the T20s tho.

England are a fun place to visit.

Every series in England is a pleasure to watch, be it WI, Bangladesh, SL or Pakistan.

India/Australia are blockbuster anyways, still remember Cook's last game 100 and India losing in day 5's last session.

 

[Junaids]

This will be fun.

Let's how we do under Azhar's test captaincy with a young-ish team.

Should wrap up the T20s tho.

It's not a youngish team any more.

Mickey Arthur's last Test team had 8 players under 30, and 6 in their 20's.

Misbah's last team had 7 players over 30, plus Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam. Only 2 players were in their twenties - compared with 6 in Arthur's last team.

 

[Hadi Rizvi]

It's not a youngish team any more.

Mickey Arthur's last Test team had 8 players under 30, and 6 in their 20's.

Misbah's last team had 7 players over 30, plus Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam. Only 2 players were in their twenties - compared with 6 in Arthur's last team.

Squad hasn't been decided yet mate.

Besides it could potentially include Shadab, Haider Ali and Hasnain

 

[Saj]

Think both sides will be rusty and the one which wakes up first should win!

England players start training this week.

And they will have already played a series versus West Indies.

 

[IMMY69]

London has the lowest R rate of all the regions and cities in the UK and the infection could be erradicated from london in a few weeks if cases continue to fall...

However, you wouldn’t expect 30 foreign players to be able to isolate in a hotel....
best thing would be to rent out several houses of apartments for the duration of their stay...

 

[aloo paratha]

Predictions state, Second wave about to come soon. So let’s hope we all stay safe.

All predictions we've gotten so far have been overstated. No reason for me to believe this won't be the same.

 

[topspin]

[MENTION=132916]Junaids[/MENTION] It's all OK brother.

We have to learn to live with this new reality. Everyone is re-opening, as they should, and things won't become much worse than what the flu does each year.

Some precautions will be taken, and that is all that's needed. They may even be re-tested and quarantined when they return back home.

Or that might not be needed in August when the world is back to its normal anyway.

But will a Misbah cheerleader like yourself learn to re-open his mind?

 

[Bewal Express]

Going by the statistics The players are safe. The number of deaths of U40s is less than 400.

 

[Rana]

Going by the statistics The players are safe. The number of deaths of U40s is less than 400.

Elite Sportsmen are safe

 

[Junaids]

Elite Sportsmen are safe

But are at risk of becoming asymptomatic carriers who kill their elderly relatives.

 

[Kroll]

But are at risk of becoming asymptomatic carriers who kill their elderly relatives.

The virus may never go away, but for this summer I'd personally cancel the tour, there would be too much anxiety and far too many "pungay" the players would have to go through.

 

[HitWicket]

But are at risk of becoming asymptomatic carriers who kill their elderly relatives.

Hence why they'd presumably be tested before being allowed to leave the quarantined environment and after travelling back home (where they may have to through another isolation period?).

 

[Hawkeye]

But are at risk of becoming asymptomatic carriers who kill their elderly relatives.

Yes, just like the flu does (despite studying it for decades, having so many vaccines etc.)

So, we have to learn to live with it, just like we do with the flu. And take precautions.

 

[Junaids]

Yes, just like the flu does (despite studying it for decades, having so many vaccines etc.)

So, we have to learn to live with it, just like we do with the flu. And take precautions.

No.

The flu has a mortality rate in the Over-70’s of 0.1%

Coronavirus is 4.8% - 48 times more lethal in the over-70’s than flu, and 12.6% in over-80’s, so 126 times more lethal than flu.

Coronavirus may be in the influenza family, but that’s irrelevant. The condition it kills by is lung failure, not flu.

You can’t live with this virus. You have to put the economy on hold to eliminate it.

 

[Junaids]

Hence why they'd presumably be tested before being allowed to leave the quarantined environment and after travelling back home (where they may have to through another isolation period?).

Very hit and miss.

A traveller who had returned from overseas did mandatory hotel quarantine in Brisbane for 14 days until last Tuesday. He tested negative and was cleared to fly home to Sydney. Two days later - 16 days after his return and arguably 20-30 days after infection - he became positive and infected someone else.

The UK has been incapable of managing this while Australia did. Why should Pakistan take the risk?

 

[HitWicket]

A traveller who had returned from overseas did mandatory hotel quarantine in Brisbane for 14 days until last Tuesday. He tested negative and was cleared to fly home to Sydney. Two days later - 16 days after his return and arguably 20-30 days after infection - he became positive and infected someone else.

Have you got a source for this case?

 

[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Babar Azam "Playing in front of no crowd will be difficult. Nobody knows better than us how difficult it is to play without crowds as we played without almost any crowd in UAE for 10 years. When there's a crowd, your effort-level goes up to 110%" <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cricket</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/COVID19?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#COVID19</a> <a href="https://t.co/aYe7tS6oUK">pic.twitter.com/aYe7tS6oUK</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/1262352977618259969?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 18, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Babar Azam on possibly touring England "nothing is more important than life. Safety comes first and when that is assured we will move forward. PCB are in talks with ECB at the moment and only when our health and safety is 110% assured will we move forward" <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cricket</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ENGvPAK?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ENGvPAK</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/1262360284007628801?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 18, 2020</a></blockquote>
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[Saj]

Babar's comments today didn't make him sound too keen on coming to a region that has the second highest number of Covid19 deaths in the world.

 

[Bewal Express]

Babar's comments today didn't make him sound too keen on coming to a region that has the second highest number of Covid19 deaths in the world.

If Babar doesnt feel comfortable then he shouldnt come. It may work out well for PK cricket in the long term if some of the younger unkowns come and take their chance.

 

[Saj]

If Babar doesnt feel comfortable then he shouldnt come. It may work out well for PK cricket in the long term if some of the younger unkowns come and take their chance.

I'm not as enthusiastic.

I don't think the PCB should take any risks in this situation and should not put the welfare of their cricketers at risk.

 

[Bewal Express]

I'm not as enthusiastic.

I don't think the PCB should take any risks in this situation and should not put the welfare of their cricketers at risk.

You know England will find a team without any difficulty and PK will lose out badly. The risks are minimal and there is no guarantee that they wont be there for the next few years. Will PK not play at all as long as there are risks?

 

[Saj]

You know England will find a team without any difficulty and PK will lose out badly. The risks are minimal and there is no guarantee that they wont be there for the next few years. Will PK not play at all as long as there are risks?

Whether it's 1 year or 3 years, safety is the most important thing.

It has to be 100% right, with no risks at all.

 

[aloo paratha]

People are acting as if we're touring today. The tour will take place in 2 months. England is at their peak right now, 2 months from now they will have declined a lot. Less than 2 months ago, Germany was getting 5000+ cases a day, yesterday they only had 400 new cases.

 

[Saj]

People are acting as if we're touring today. The tour will take place in 2 months. England is at their peak right now, 2 months from now they will have declined a lot. Less than 2 months ago, Germany was getting 5000+ cases a day, yesterday they only had 400 new cases.

No idea where you are getting 2 months from.

ECB want Pakistan in England at the start of July.

 

[HitWicket]

No idea where you are getting 2 months from.

ECB want Pakistan in England at the start of July.

The ECB want the West Indies to tour at the start of July, the Pakistan tour won't be until later.

Edit: In-fact reports on this seem to be all over the place? Multiple articles indicating the currently planned start of the WI tour is 8th July but also multiple articles stating the plan is for Pakistan to also arrive at the start of July?

 

[Thunderbolt14]

No idea where you are getting 2 months from.

ECB want Pakistan in England at the start of July.

Okay, month and a half. Point is still the same

 

[Thunderbolt14]

The ECB want the West Indies to tour at the start of July, the Pakistan tour won't be until later.

Pakistan will arrive early July to be quarantined for 2 weeks.

 

[Saj]

The ECB want the West Indies to tour at the start of July, the Pakistan tour won't be until later.

Incorrect. ECB want the Pakistan squad to arrive in England at the beginning of July.

 

[Saj]

Okay, month and a half. Point is still the same

And the point still stands that over 34,000 people have died in the UK. This number is probably a lot higher according to some media and politicians and medics.