Pakistan to play first practice match against Somerset on July 3

SOUTHAMPTON: The Pakistan cricket team will take on English county Somerset in a practice match on July 3, ahead of its Test match and ODI series against England.’According to details, this will not be the only practice match the green shirts will be playing in England. From July 3-5, Pakistan take on Somerset in Taunton while from July 8-10, they will face Sussex in another practice match which will be held at Hove.The green shirts are all set to arrive today in Taunton from where their cricket tour will officially begin. ‘According to team manager Intikhab Alam, the cricketers spent quality time at the Rose Bowl.’Pakistan will take on England in the first Test match between the two sides, on July 14. This will be Pakistan’s first tour to England after the 2010 visit which became controversial due to the infamous spot-fixing scandal.’It will also be fast bowler Mohommad Amir’s first ever tour to England after he was convicted of deliberately bowling no-balls during a Test match at Lords. Along with Mohommad Amir, Salman Butt and Mohommad Asif were also found guilty of being involved in spot-fixing and were banned for multiple years.’Amir made a fiery return to the national squad, with impressive performances in the recently-held Asia Cup. It will be interesting to see how the 24-year old fares against England with a hostile English crowd.’This is also the first official assignment of South African Mickey Arthur, who was recently hired as’the new coach of Pakistan cricket team.’