England Women to tour Pakistan for the first time

No England team have played international cricket in the country since 2005

England captain Heather Knight will lead her side to Pakistan (PA)

England Women will tour Pakistan for the first time in October, joining the men's side in an unprecedented joint trip.

No England team has played international cricket in the country since 2005, as a result of terror concerns related to an attack on Sri Lanka's team bus, but now two will make the trip together.

Eoin Morgan's white-ball team had already committed to a two-match T20 series in Karachi on 14 and 15 October, with those dates now turned into double-headers involving Heather Knight's side.

Knight and company will then stay on to contest three one-day internationals at the same venue on 18-22 October.

Clare Connor, managing director of women's cricket at the England and Wales Cricket Board, said: "We are absolutely delighted to be making this historic announcement today. The England Women's cricket team has never toured Pakistan before so this is another important step in our history and journey.

"Not only will this be a cricket tour that provides valuable competitive opportunity to both teams, it should also serve as another powerful and positive message as we drive forward our equality ambitions for more women and girls to derive empowerment through the sport."

Wasim Khan, chief executive of the Pakistan Cricket Board, was delighted with the announcement and hopes it signals the start of an ever closer bond between the two nations.

He said: "World champions England accompanying their men's side for their first-ever tour to Karachi is an extremely powerful and strong announcement for Pakistan, our women's cricketers as well as for the global sport.

"This announcement reflects the confidence, trust and relationship the PCB enjoys with the England and Wales Cricket Board, and is an acknowledgement for the successful delivery of international and domestic cricket in the challenging and difficult 2020.

"While this presents a great opportunity for the PCB to showcase the image and profile of women's cricket, it is a chance for the women cricketers to demonstrate their talent and skills, and play their part in attracting, inspiring and motivating the next generation of women cricketers so that they can also fall in love with this great sport."

England Women are set to take on New Zealand next month, with tour dates and squad details close to being confirmed, while a return series in England, as well as a visit from South Africa, are set for the summer.

PA