Pakistan's Haris Sohail (2L) celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of Sri Lanka's Niroshan Dickwella (2R) during the fourth day of the second Test cricket match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka at the National Cricket Stadium in Karachi on Dec 22, 2019. (ASIF HASSAN / AFP)

ISLAMABAD - To the surprise of many sports lovers, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has agreed to send the country's national cricket team to Britain in July to play Test and Twenty20 International series amid spreading COVID-19, local media reported Sunday.

Local Urdu TV channel Dawn News quoted PCB's Chief Executive Wasim Khan as saying that the decision was taken after a detailed online meeting with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on Friday.

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The ECB is scheduled to host Pakistan for three Test matches starting from July 30 followed by three Twenty20 matches likely to be held behind closed doors

"We had a very detailed and a comprehensive discussion with the ECB regarding the tour and care of the team, and PCB has now agreed in principle to send a 25-member team to England in July," said the chief executive.

The ECB is scheduled to host Pakistan for three Test matches starting from July 30 followed by three Twenty20 matches likely to be held behind closed doors.

Sports lovers and cricket fans in Pakistan have objected over the decision, saying that the tour might pose a great threat to players' health and lives.

Responding to people's reservations, the official assured the nation that players' health and safety would be kept at first priority and that no player would be forced to travel.

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Khan added that the host will ensure the biosecurity arrangements by providing medical staff and other health facilities during the tour.

According to the reports, the Pakistani government has not given permission to the PCB to send the team and the final permission would be granted after reports from the Pakistani High Commission in London.