England confirm 2016 summer schedule

The England and Wales Cricket Board has announced Pakistan will tour the UK next year, their first visit to the British Isles since their spot-fixing marred tour of 2010.

Pakistan will face the recently-crowned Ashes winners in four Test matches, five one-day internationals and a T20 in the northern summer of 2016, while Sri Lanka will play three Tests and five ODIs against England earlier in the season.

Sri Lanka will also play tour matches against Essex and Leicestershire, both Division 2 sides this year, while Pakistan will take on Division One county teams Somerset, Sussex and Worcestershire.

The two touring teams will play a pair of additional ODIs each against Ireland between their Test and ODI series against England.

Two of the seven Tests for the summer will be played at Lord's while Old Trafford and Chester-le-Street will get a taste of Test cricket again in 2016 having missed out this year.

SWALEC Stadium in Cardiff and Trent Bridge, which both hosted Ashes Tests this year, have missed out on Tests in 2016.

Pakistan's 2010 trip was overshadowed by a match-fixing affair that rocked the world of cricket and led to the suspensions of players Mohammad Asif, Salman Butt and Mohammad Amir. The trio's lengthy suspensions will expire next Tuesday.

Exclusive: Amir eyes next step in Pakistan return

Pakistan will host England for a three-Test series in the UAE later this year, while Sri Lanka's tour will be their second in two years following their series in the UK last year.

ECB Chief Executive Officer Tom Harrison urged supporters to continue the strong support they showed during England's triumphant Ashes campaign.

"Alastair Cook was absolutely right to acknowledge the contribution of England’s fans to our Ashes success," Harrison said.

"They have been unwavering in their support this summer and we would urge as many as possible to return to our international venues next summer – and get behind  our men’s and women’s teams in large numbers once again.

"Both Pakistan and Sri Lanka will also attract strong support from their own communities in this country which all adds up to another exciting summer of international action played in front of packed houses for all three formats of the game."

The England women's team will also take on Pakistan's women's team next summer, with the schedule to be announced at a later date.

2016 Summer of Cricket

SRI LANKA

• Sun 8-Tue 10 May: v Essex, Chelmsford
• Fri 13-Sun 15 May: v Leicestershire, Grace Rd
• Thu 19-Mon 23 May: 1st Test, Headingley
• Fri 27-Tue 31 May: 2nd Test, Chester-le-Street
• Thu 9-Mon 13 June: 3rd Test, Lord's
• Thu 16 June: 1st ODI v Ireland, TBC
• Sat 18 June: 2nd ODI v Ireland, TBC
• Tue 21 June: 1st ODI, Trent Bridge
• Fri 24 June: 2nd ODI, Edgbaston
• Sun 26 June: 3rd ODI, Bristol
• Wed 29 June: 4th ODI, The Oval
• Sat 2 July: 5th ODI, SWALEC Stadium
• Tue 5 July: Only T20, The Ageas Bowl

PAKISTAN

• Sun 3-Tue 5 July: v Somerset, Taunton
• Fri 8-Sun 10 July: v Sussex, Hove
• Thu 14-Mon 18 July: 1st Test, Lord's
• Fri 22-Tue 26 July: 2nd Test, Old Trafford
• Fri 29-Sat 30 July: v Worcestershire, New Road
• Wed 3-Sun 7 Aug: 3rd Test, Edgbaston
• Thu 11-Mon 15 Aug: 4th Test, The Oval
• Thu 18 Aug: 1st ODI v Ireland, TBC
• Sat 20 Aug: 2nd ODI v Ireland, TBC
• Wed 24 Aug: 1st ODI, The Ageas Bowl
• Sat 27 Aug: 2nd ODI, Lord's
• Tue 30 Aug: 3rd ODI, Trent Bridge
• Thu 1 Sept: 4th ODI, Headingley
• Sun 4 Sept: 5th ODI, SWALEC Stadium
• Wed 7 Sept: Only T20, Old Trafford