LAHORE: Pakistan will play 11 competitive matches, including two Twenty20 fixtures, before they start their World Cup campaign against the West Indies on May 31, the Pakistan Cricket Board announced on Tuesday as it issued the schedule of the team’s tour of England.

Ahead of the World Cup in England, Pakistan square off against the hosts in five One-day Internationals as well as a one-off Twenty20 International as well as three practice matches against county sides, that includes a T20, and two World Cup warm-ups against Afghanistan and Bangladesh.

“The Pakistan coach [Mickey Arthur] will now consult the selection committee and discuss the schedule of the player fitness tests, training camp and squad announcement for the ICC Cricket World Cup, which will take place in England and Wales from May 30 to July 14,” the PCB press release stated.

“As per the ICC regulations, all participating sides have to submit their 15-player World Cup squads by April 30 but can make changes until May 22 without needing the ICC’s approval. Post May 23, all player replacements will have to be approved by the Event Technical Committee.

“The Pakistan team will depart for England on April 23 where they will play England in a series of practice and international matches, before entering the ICC World Cup 2019 against the West Indies on May 31 at Trent Bridge.” Schedule:

April 23: Departure for England.

April 27: One-dayer vs Kent (Canterbury).

April 29: One-dayer vs Northamptonshire (Northampton).

May 1: T20 vs Leicestershire (Leicester, D/N).

May 5: One-off Twenty20 International vs England (Cardiff).

May 8: First 1st ODI vs England (The Oval).

May 11: Second ODI vs England (Southampton).

May 14: Third ODI vs England (Bristol).

May 17: Fourth ODI vs England (Trent Bridge).

May 19: Fifth ODI vs England (Headingley).

World Cup matches:

May 24: vs Afghanistan (warm-up, Bristol).

May 26: vs Bangladesh (warm-up, Cardiff).

May 31: vs West Indies (Trent Bridge).

June 3: vs England (Trent Bridge).

June 7: vs Sri Lanka (Bristol).

June 12: v Australia (Taunton).

June 16: vs India (Old Trafford).

June 23: vs South Africa (Lord’s).

June 26: vs New Zealand (Edgbaston).

June 29: vs Afghanistan (Headingley).

July 5: vs Bangladesh (Lord’s, D/N).

Published in Dawn, April 3rd, 2019