England to host Pakistan for the npower series starting July 13, 2006 on ESPN

England to host Pakistan for the npower series starting July 13, 2006 on ESPN

New Delhi, July 12, 2006- ESPN STAR Sports, India's
premier sports network, will showcase 4-test series to be played between England and Pakistan, LIVE and Exclusive, starting July 13, 2006. The Test series
will be followed by 5 ODIs.

With key players like Captain Michael Vaughan, all
rounder Andrew Flintoff and opening fast bowler Mathew Hoggard not available due to injury, the English will be banking on the home advantage under captain courageous, Andrew Strauss, to overpower the
Pakistanis. Strauss will be counting on Pietersen and Harmison to deliver against one of the balanced side in world cricket today.

The injury factor is also the cause of worry for the Pakistani skipper Inzamam Ul-Haq with some key players out of action. Already without their premier strike bowler, Shoaib Akhtar, Pakistan received a jolt
when Rana Naved Ul-Hasan also withdrew from the
first test. However, Pakistan in the recent times has shown that they are a potent side even without their tearaway fast bowlers. The young but talented side is
grooming well under the Woolmer-Haq combination and England might just prove the litmus test for them.

Overall, the two sides have been evenly matched in
the 63 matches played against each other. England have a slight advantage with 16 wins to Pakistan's 12, although Pakistan has enjoyed the upper hand in the recent encounters winning 3 of the last 5 test
matches including the 2-0 drubbing last season.

Catch the action live and exclusive on ESPN

Schedule of England V Pakistan Test series

Date Time Event
13 -17 July 2006 3:28 pm First Test
27-31 July 2006 3:28 pm Second Test
4-8 August 3:28 pm Third Test
17-21 August 3:28 pm Fourth test

For further information, contact ESPN Software
India Pvt. Ltd at 95124-4147777-87:
Sameer Bajaj, Manager - Corporate Communications,
Email: [email protected]

Or Tarundeep Singh, IPAN at 011- 52492100,
9811017310 Email: [email protected]

For the latest schedules and programme information
visit www.espnstar.com/> www.espnstar.com