England could tour Pakistan for the first time since 2005 after the ECB regime confirmed pondering over an invitation from PCB for a "short white-ball series" in 2021.
The change in stance is down to the significant boost to the security arrangements within Pakistan.
The PCB has successfully hosted multiple limited-overs series since 2015, besides conducting its premier T20 competition, the Pakistan Super League (PSL), as well as Test matches after a decade in the homeland last winter.
"After discussions with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), we can confirm the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has received an invitation in respect of a short white-ball tour to Pakistan during the early part of 2021," said the ECB in a statement issued this Thursday (October 15).
"We welcome the fact that international cricket is returning to Pakistan and are committed to doing what we can to help this develop further."
The statement, however, added "the safety and welfare of our players and staff is paramount", referring to concerns over players protection, an issue further complicated by the COVID-19 pandemic where cricket matches require bio-bubbles to see the light of the day.
"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," the ECB said.
"We have sent them a window of January 13-20 (2021), so we will do our best to make this tour happen," informed PCB CEO Wasim Khan even as ECB didn't specify any dates for the series.
"They (the ECB) will consider it (the invitation) and have a security assessment. It will be a very important tour and help improve our credibility as a host," he added.
The trip could feature three T20Is, none expected to overlap with England's scheduled Test series in Sri Lanka.
The ECB could also keep in mind the help provided by the Pakistanis through a visit to the English shores in August this year for three Tests and three T20Is, doing their part in salvaging the international summer when otherwise huge financial losses were expected.
"You (England) boys owe Pakistan cricket, and the country, a lot, with the boys coming over here," pace legend Wasim Akram had said at the time.
(Inputs from AFP)
