Pakistan are set to lose money on England's first tour of the country for 17 years, with astronomical security costs enabling the seven-match T20 series to take place. The tourists have been given presidential-level protection, meaning the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have forked out a whopping £4.4million.
This is a financial hit they are willing to take however, given the desire for the country to host other Test-playing nations on a consistent basis once again. Following the ambush of the Sri Lanka team bus by terrorists in Lahore in 2009, Pakistan did not stage any Test matches for a decade and their home matches were mostly held in the United Arab Emirates.
But since 2015, teams have gradually returned to the country, as the likes of Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka, West Indies, Bangladesh, South Africa, Australia have played against the 1992 World Champions. England are the latest side to tour and have started their seven-match T20 series in the best possible way.
After restricting the home side to 158-7 despite a strong opening partnership from Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam in Karachi on Tuesday, England comfortably reached the target with four balls and won by six wickets. Making his first appearance for the national team in more than three years, Alex Hales struck 53 from 40 balls to take the biggest bite out of their run chase, but Yorkshire’s Harry Brook was perhaps even more eye-catching with his knock of 42 not out from just 25 balls.
“For Alex Hales to come back in after such a long time,” said captain Moeen Ali, who led the side in the absence of Jos Buttler. "But to play the way he did he just showed how good he is and why he is one of the best openers in the country.
"They got a great start. We pulled the game back really well in the middle period, and at the death in particular we were fantastic, and a lot of praise to the bowlers because they actually set the game up for our batters.
"On a difficult surface, I thought we played really, really well. We chased and timed it perfectly." I thought he and Brooky were outstanding and really capitalised on what the bowlers did early on.”
England have taken a 1-0 lead and the seven-match series will continue at the same venue on Thursday.
