ECB’s decision to cancel Pak-England series can damage bilateral relations: Johnson

According to The Times newspaper, the England government support for the Ashes tour has been tempered by frustration at the ECB's withdrawal from their two-match tour of Pakistan, which was due to take place in Rawalpindi on October 13^th and 14^th.

The paper reports that the Prime Minister and senior officials within the Foreign and Commonwealth Office believe that the decision, which was made on player welfare grounds rather than issues of security, has damaged relations between the UK and the Pakistan government.

Earlier on Tuesday, the British High Commissioner to Pakistan, Christian Turner, issued a statement via Twitter, distancing himself from the ECB's decision not to tour, which he said had been made independently of the country's government.

"The British High Commission supported the tour, did not advise against it on security grounds, and our travel advice for Pakistan has not changed," Turner said. "I have been a champion of international cricket's return to Pakistan and will redouble my efforts in advance of England's autumn 2022 tour. My thanks to all at the PCB who have worked so hard in support of that."