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Pakistan in no rush to make call on England tour with safety paramount

Pakistan's Yasir Shah (R) celebrates with captain Azhar Ali after taking the final Bangladesh wicket to complete his side's innings victory in the first Test at Rawalpindi
Image: Khan says the PCB will not compromise on the health and safety of its players

The Pakistan Cricket Board will not rush into a decision about their upcoming tour of England amid the ongoing coronavirus crisis, chief executive Wasim Khan has said.

England are scheduled to host the South Asian side for three tests from July 30, followed by three Twenty20 internationals.

The England and Wales Cricket Board has already said the sport will not resume until July, though it is likely to be in stadiums without fans.

"Health and safety is paramount for our players and officials and we are not going to compromise on it," Khan said.

"The situation in England is poor right now, and we will ask them about their plans. We are not making any decisions, but we will assess and decide in next three to four weeks.

Pakistan celebrate a wicket on day one of the second Test against Australia
Image: Khan says reviving cricket across the world is key to the sport's future

"This isn't an easy situation, and it isn't an easy decision to make, because things are changing every day in England.

"There are so many things to be considered - flights, hotels and they are talking about bio-security stadiums... so if people ask me, I will tell them to wait and be patient."

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Test cricket returned to Pakistan after a decade with a two-match series against Sri Lanka in December. The series marked Pakistan's first tests on home soil since a militant attack on Sri Lanka's team bus in Lahore in 2009.

The world's top sides have been reluctant to return to Pakistan, though England are scheduled to tour next year while Australia are due to visit in 2022.

Khan said the PCB would not make England's visit a pre-condition of travelling to the United Kingdom for the upcoming series.

"It's a tough situation for everyone right now, and I don't think it's fair to take advantage of the situation," Khan added.

"The most important thing for us is to revive the game for all countries.

"If we don't, we will be facing a lot of problems going forward."

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