Pakistan to play England in two T20 matches

Karachi:

Pakistan will play two Twenty20 matches against England in Dubai next year before defending their title at the next World Twenty20, an official said on Thursday.

Pakistan won the second edition of the World Twenty20 in England in June, sparking jubilation in a nation where international cricket has been hit hard by security fears and attacks by Islamist militants.

"We have reached an agreement to play two Twenty20 matches against England on February 19 and 20 as part of our preparations for the World Twenty20 next year," Pakistan Cricket Board chief operating officer Wasim Bari told AFP.

Pakistan will defend their title in the West Indies from April 30 to May 16. They are placed in Group A alongside Australia and Bangladesh in the 12-team competition.

Bari said he hoped Pakistan could blood some new players during the two warm-up matches with England.

"We see the two matches as an opportunity to try and develop some new players and give more and more players the opportunity to play at the top level," he added.

Pakistan's second-string A side will also play three one-day matches against England's A team in the United Arab Emirates later in the spring, said Bari.

Pakistan have been forced to play international matches at neutral venues as security fears have prompted foreign teams to stay away.