Pak-Australia series to be played in England

London:

Pakistan's 'home' series against Australia involving two-Tests and two T20 Internationals in July next year will be played in England, the ECB said on Friday.

England and Wales Cricket Board ECB chairman Giles Clarke said Pakistan have huge support here as has been shown in the Twenty20 World Cup which makes England an ideal venue for the series against Australia.

"Pakistan performed outstandingly well in the World T20 tournament in England and were worthy world champions. The passion of the support for their team in England demonstrated why this country is an ideal venue for these matches against Australia," Clarke said in a statement.

"PCB is faced with a challenging situation and ECB in its role as a member of global cricket community is keen to offer PCB all possible assistance at such a difficult time. I am delighted to take on this role and will be liaising closely with my colleagues at PCB," said Clarke, who will be chairman of an ICC task force to devise ways of helping Pakistan to maintain its international fixture schedule.

"The warm relations between our two Boards has developed further under the leadership of the current PCB Chairman Ijaz Butt, with whom I enjoy an excellent working relationship, and ECB is delighted to support Pakistan in staging these matches," Clarke added.

The ECB also announced that England will play Pakistan in four Tests, five one-dayers and two Twenty20 Internationals in England in August and September next year.