WARWICKSHIRE CCC will make history by sending a playing squad on tour to Pakistan for the first time.
The tour party will be based in Lahore from February 12 to 24 and will play a series of matches against local clubs and academies.
The group consists of 10 teenagers from the club’s academy and emerging player programme along with senior Warwickshire players Ethan Bamber and Jake Lintott and four coaches.
Raf Sabir, who sits on Warwickshire CCC’s inclusion advisory board (IAB) helped facilitate the visit and believes the tour marks an important milestone in the club’s history.
Sabir said: “It’s fantastic that Warwickshire is breaking new ground and sending the first playing party to Pakistan.
“And I believe it will be the first playing tour to Pakistan of any a first class county in England and Wales.
“Lahore is a fantastic city. I’ve visited many times and arranged youth cricket tours there in recent years.
“Warwickshire’s players can expect a very warm welcome – especially from youngsters who live for cricket – and will benefit from some of the country’s finest training and playing facilities.
“But we also see this as an important cultural visit for the players, for them to see important sites in the city and its surroundings, and understand the history.
“The group will also be meeting the High Commission, Pakistan Super League sides and commercial partners as part of the club’s wider work to foster links in the city.
“The club has been working with the British Pakistan Initiative (BPI) on a number of projects and it’s thanks to their support that tours like this are possible.”
Warwickshire will hold training camps at Aleem Dar Academy and Aitchison College.
The tour party will visit Lahore and some of its significant religious and historic sites, and also travel to the India-Pakistan border for an educational trip.
Warwickshire’s high performance manager, Paul Greetham added: “The players are really excited ahead of the trip, it’s an opportunity to test themselves against quality opposition overseas.
“We will play four competitive games against sides that are likely to include Pakistan under-19 players and prospects, plus some experienced first class cricketers playing in Pakistan.
“It’ll be a great learning experience for the academy players, and also an opportunity for Ethan and Jake to get more overs under their belt ahead of the senior pre-season trip to Dubai.
“They will also play an important mentoring and coaching role for the young players.
“England’s ICC Champions Trophy game against Australia will be played in Lahore during the trip so there will be a certain Jacob Bethell also in the city at the same time.”
