England are back in Pakistan after 17 years... cue the fireworks

SM HUSSAIN looks ahead to the seven-match T20I series between the sides in Karachi and Lahore

December 21, 2005. Under the misty flood lights in the cold Rawalpindi evening, Liam Plunkett runs into bowl the last ball of the match.

Pakistan need six off the last ball to reach their 206-run target. The hosts' No.10, Arshad Khan, misses the slower ball by Plunkett and England celebrate a narrow victory.

That was the last time England played a white-ball match on Pakistan soil, 17 long years ago.  

After Australia's tour to Pakistan in March-April this year this England series has perhaps equal importance if not more for Pakistan cricket.

"Seventeen years it has taken, it means a lot to the people of Pakistan. I read a tweet yesterday that said: 'Jos Buttler is actually in Pakistan', that signifies how much Pakistani people love cricket," Shan Masood said in a crowded press conference in Karachi.

Masood, after a successful stint with Derbyshire, has been included in the T20 squad for the first time.

^{Security on duty ahead of the Pakistan-England series [Alex Davidson/Getty Images]}

He reckons that England are one of the best white-ball sides in the world and they will pose a stiff challenge for Pakistan as well as ideal preparation before the T20 World Cup.         

England were originally scheduled to tour Pakistan in October last year, but after New Zealand's last-minute tour pull-out, citing security concerns, they opted to postpone their short tour.     

The first match of the series on Tuesday will be the first T20I between the two teams in Pakistan.

They have locked horns in eight previous Pakistan 'home' matches at neutral venues in the UAE, with England winning five times and Pakistan twice. There has been one tied game. 

The series is being played amid gloom in both countries.

The recent death of the Queen in England and flood devastation in Pakistan may have contributed to a solemn mood but the people of Pakistan are looking forward to a historic series nonetheless.

Just a few hours after landing in Karachi, Buttler acknowledged the suffering caused by the floods.

"Hopefully, some exciting games of cricket will be a small tonic to raise some spirits," he said. 

^{England captain Jos Buttler and Pakistan's Babar Azam [Alex Davidson/Getty Images]}

Buttler is unlikely to play much of the series due to a calf injury and vice-captain Moeen Ali will take over the reins. Other prominent English players missing from this series are Liam Livingstone, Jonny Bairstow and Ben Stokes.

But the swashbuckling English opener Alex Hales is making a comeback in the side who is no stranger for Pakistan fans. He has played some outstanding knocks in the PSL.

Moeen Ali's family hails from Mirpur, and captaining England in Pakistan is more than special for him.

"With my roots being from here and to lead England in such a big and historic series is huge. It's a very proud moment for me and my family, my mum and dad and everybody.

"My friends and community who I feel I represent are very happy for me, but it's more captaining England in any game anywhere in the world is a huge honour."

Moeen reckons fast bowlers will play a crucial role in the series.

^{Chris Woakes gives tips to the net bowlers in Karachi [Alex Davidson/Getty Images]}

"Spinners play a big part obviously, but both teams generally play spin quite well and Pakistan have some very good spinners like Shadab and Nawaz both are very good allrounders.

"Games will be played on with the fast bowlers who will be very important obviously Pakistan have always produced some amazing fast bowlers. It will be a close and tight series."   

Pakistan captain Babar Azam said: "It's a huge series. We are excited that England are here after so many years."

On Shaheen Afridi's injury, he said: "I have spoken to Shaheen, he has started his training and hopefully he will start bowling in the first week of October."  

England in Pakistan: It's not just run-of-the-mill white-ball series.