Mark Arthur is expecting another memorable international summer at Emerald Headingley in 2021.
Yorkshire’s chief executive will never forget 2019, when Ben Stokes miraculously won England the third Ashes Test against Australia on the way to a 2-2 drawn series.
India and Pakistan also played a match apiece at Emerald Headingley during the one-day World Cup, with their army of fanatical fans creating a “special atmospheric experience”.
Both Asian powerhouses visit Emerald Headingley again next summer to face England.
Pakistan are the visitors for Yorkshire’s first ever T20 international fixture, something which would have happened this summer but for Coronavirus. That fixture is set to take place during the afternoon of Sunday July 18.
Virat Kohli’s India will then play their first Test Match at Emerald Headingley since 2002, starting on Wednesday August 25.
The last time they played a Test here, Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Sourav Ganguly all scored centuries in a big win. In fact, they have won their last two Headingley Tests, the other being in 1986.
Given the 19-year gap between Indian Test Matches in Leeds, Arthur is hoping a new generation of both Indian and England supporters will be inspired by watching the likes of Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Ravi Ashwin and Jasprit Bumrah. The list goes on.
“2019 was a summer no cricket fan will ever forget – the Ashes, Ben Stokes, the World Cup,” said Arthur. “And India and Pakistan were very much a part of that here at Emerald Headingley during the World Cup.
“We can’t wait to welcome them back next year for two fixtures which promise so much.
“Whenever India and Pakistan play at Emerald Headingley, we are treated to such a special atmospheric experience – full of colour and joy. Their supporters’ enthusiasm for the game is so infectious.
“India have not played in a Test Match here for 19 years, and there will be a whole new generation of India and England supporters who will not have witnessed one of the greatest teams in the world.
“They have many players revered around the world of cricket, and we’re looking forward to what should be a wonderful occasion.”
Both England and India, who are also due to meet this winter in either India or the UAE, are aiming to topple Australia as the world’s number one ranked Test nation.
Prior to that, the England v Pakistan T20 international will provide both sides with valuable preparation ahead of the T20 World Cup in India next October and November.
“No matter what is at stake, any match between England and India or England and Pakistan is going to be a very exciting contest because they are so evenly matched across all formats,” added Arthur.
“There is also the prospect of significant Yorkshire involvement across both fixtures, something which is always a very proud moment for everyone involved with the club.”
Pakistan have just beaten Zimbabwe 3-0 in a home T20 series and travel to New Zealand next month to face another three-match series.
India’s next Test assignment is a mouthwatering four-match series in Australia either side of Christmas. Captain Kohli will miss the last three Tests due to the impending birth of his first child.
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