England in talks to tour Pakistan for T20 matches in early 2021

The ECB are weighing up an offer to return to Pakistan for the first time since 2005 for a three-match tour in January

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England could make a long-awaited return to Pakistan this winter, with talks between the ECB and PCB well underway over a short T20 series in January 2021.

The proposed plan would see the Test team travel to Sri Lanka and a white-ball squad play in Pakistan, simultaneously.

It would act as a thank you from England to Pakistan, who fulfilled their Test and T20 tour this summer despite the Covid-19 pandemic.

An ECB statement read: "As with any proposed tour that takes place at this time, the safety and welfare of our players and staff is paramount. 

"As such, there are a number of factors that need to be taken into consideration, including the proposed protocols in relation to COVID-19 bio-secure bubbles, the proposed levels of security around the team, as well as the feasibility of undertaking this tour against the backdrop of an already busy schedule of international cricket for the England men’s team. 

"We will be liaising with the PCB, and as well as other partners over the coming weeks to work through these considerations before a final decision will be taken in due course."

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Not since 2005 have England toured Pakistan, but both governing bodies have expressed their desire for matches to take place in the immediate future.

Professional cricket in Pakistan was halted after the Lahore terrorist attack in 2009, with much of the men and women's matches taking place in the United Arab Emirates.

The international game resumed in 2017 when Sri Lanka played a T20 before they came back two years later for the first Test in a decade.

Bangladesh then played three T20s and a Test earlier this year, before the PSL was scheduled entirely in the country for the first time, prior to its suspension due to the pandemic.

A Test tour between the two nations is scheduled for 2022 according to the Men's Future Tour Programme.

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