England’s Ashes triumph boosts interest in Pakistan tour

KARACHI – England’s Ashes series triumph over Australia has generated huge interest among cricket sponsors and fans in their tour of Pakistan.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have already acquired sponsorship of 150 million rupees (2.5 million dollars) – the second highest after last year’s series against India. England play three Tests and five one-day matches in November-December.Their announcement Monday of a 17-man Test squad that includes all 12 players who featured in the Ashes series, and a strong 15-man one-day squad have added to Pakistan’s anticipation.Pakistan had also been warned to expect a bigger-than-usual contingent of English fans – the Barmy Army – for the tour.The PCB chief said the touring fans would be given special care but there would be no separate enclosures for them.Although England beat Australia in the last Ashes series, they remain behind them in the International Cricket Council rankings.Pakistan are seventh in the rankings, but in April held the third-ranked Indian side to a 1-1 draw in a series in India and beat them 4-2 in the one-dayers.-Nampa-AFPEngland play three Tests and five one-day matches in November-December.Their announcement Monday of a 17-man Test squad that includes all 12 players who featured in the Ashes series, and a strong 15-man one-day squad have added to Pakistan’s anticipation.Pakistan had also been warned to expect a bigger-than-usual contingent of English fans – the Barmy Army – for the tour.The PCB chief said the touring fans would be given special care but there would be no separate enclosures for them.Although England beat Australia in the last Ashes series, they remain behind them in the International Cricket Council rankings.Pakistan are seventh in the rankings, but in April held the third-ranked Indian side to a 1-1 draw in a series in India and beat them 4-2 in the one-dayers.-Nampa-AFP