Dubai: Fans in the UAE are in for a cricketing treat. The country will stage six Tests, nine One-dayers and four Twenty20 matches between October and February.
The England and Wales Cricket Board has confirmed they will play three Tests, four One-dayers and three Twenty20 matches against Pakistan in the UAE in January and February.
Pakistan will also play three Tests, five One-dayers and one Twenty20 match against Sri Lanka in October and November.
Speaking to Gulf News, Mohammad Lokhandwala, secretary of the Dubai Cricket Council, said: "It will be a great time for the fans here and since we have world class stadia in UAE it is important to have lots of cricket here.
"Apart from these international matches even the ICC's world cricket league matches are scheduled to be held here and it will be a great time for lovers of the game."
Top class stadiums
Though the venues for the matches are to yet be announced, it is expected Dubai, Abu Dhabi and also Sharjah will host matches at their international stadiums.
"We are lucky to have three top class stadiums in the UAE and it has enabled us to watch the best of cricket teams. Sharjah deserves to host international matches again because it is a very accessible stadium for the cricket fans," added Lokhandwala.
Discussions are on between Emirates Cricket Board and Pakistan Cricket Board to decide on the matches to be held in these venues.
Pakistan is unable to host this series at home owing to security reasons and both England and Sri Lanka cricket boards are happy to play the series in UAE.
The PCB will soon try and attract sponsorship for the series.
The Twenty20 format, which is very popular in the UAE, is expected to once again draw huge crowds. England's matches against Pakistan will be part of their preparation for defending their World Twenty20 title.
World Cup
The next Twenty20 World Cup is scheduled to be held in Sri Lanka next year.
Meanwhile, England also confirmed their One-day series against India in October.
They will arrive in Hyderabad and play two 50-over warm up matches there before the first One-dayer at Hyderabad.
The second One-dayer will be held in New Delhi, the third in Mohali, the fourth in Mumbai and the fifth in Kolkata, where they will also play a Twenty20 match.
The series ends on October 29.
India tour
- Oct 8: England's warm-up match, Hyderabad
- Oct 11: Warm-up match, Hyderabad
- Oct 14: First one-day international, Hyderabad
- Oct 17: Second one-day international, New Delhi
- Oct 20: Third one-day international, Mohali
- Oct 23: Fourth one-day international, Mumbai
- Oct 26: Fifth one-day international, Kolkata
- Oct 29: Twenty20, Kolkata.
