England have agreed to play two postponed men's T20 internationals in Pakistan next year after the heads of the countries' cricket boards met in Lahore on Tuesday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Pakistan officials and fans were left fuming after England controversially withdrew their men's and women's teams from the T20I series in September, citing "growing dangers in travelling to this region".<\/p>\r\n\r\n
England, who were due to play those men's matches on October 13 and 14, also cited worries over players' mental and physical health in Covid bubbles as reasons for the withdrawal.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
That came a week after New Zealand abandoned a tour of Pakistan minutes before the first one-day international in Rawalpindi, citing a security alert.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ramiz Raja blamed "a western bloc" for trying to destroy his country's cricket.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) chief executive Tom Harrison met Raja and the pair agreed to reschedule the men's matches.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"England will play two additional men's Twenty20 internationals to the five T20Is (seven in all) originally planned when they will tour Pakistan in September-October 2022," a PCB release said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Under the Future Tours Programme, England were already due to tour Pakistan, first for five T20Is and then for three Tests in November-December 2022.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Harrison said he travelled to Pakistan to solve the matter.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"Myself and ECB's senior director Martin Darlow visited Lahore to talk face-to-face with the PCB around some of the things that have happened over the past few weeks, leading to the cancellation of our tour in October," Harrison said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"We're happy to announce that we'll play two extra white-ball T20Is on our men's tour of Pakistan in September-October 2022. We will then return after the ICC men's T20 World Cup in Australia to complete the Test match element of that tour.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"This is just to reaffirm our commitment to Pakistan cricket to getting England teams, men's and women's teams, eventually playing in Pakistan at home."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Raja said: "The ECB have shown their large heartedness to be here. It means a lot to us."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The confirmation came a day after Pakistan announced Australia will tour them for three Tests, three ODIs and a single T20I in March and April next year -- after a gap of 24 years.<\/p>\r\n\r\n