When the third season of the Road Safety World Series, another T20 league featuring former international stars, begins in September of this year, a side from Pakistan is expected to participate for the first time. The league has up till now been played in India, but ESPNcricinfo has learned that the upcoming season would be contested in England after receiving authorisation issued by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).
The league began in March 2020 and has already had two seasons, both of which were held in India. The third season’s dates are still being determined, but it is understood that the league would begin play in early September and last for about three weeks. In contrast to the league’s eight teams last season, nine teams are expected to take part this time around.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the first season was split over 2020 and 2021, with the second season beginning in 2022. However, there hasn’t been a Pakistani team up to now due to recent tensions between both the governments of India as well as Pakistan and the two seasons being held in India.
Other major teams competing in the Road Safety World Series
Teams from India, Sri Lanka, South Africa, the West Indies, and Australia competed in the inaugural season, which began in March 2020, but the pandemic forced the championship to end after only four games. Australia withdrew because to Covid-19-related travel restrictions, and Bangladesh replaced them along with England when the remaining games started in March 2021 in Raipur.
In September 2022, Dehradun and Raipur hosted the second season, which saw Australia return and an additional team, New Zealand, join. The India Legends squad defeated Sri Lanka Legends during the tournament’s final in Raipur in each of its two editions.
Former ODI and T20 World Cup winners Sachin Tendulkar, Kevin Pietersen, Sanath Jayasuriya, Shane Watson, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Yuvraj Singh, Brian Lara, Jonty Rhodes, Shane Bond, and many others have competed in this tournament.
Fans react to Pakistan set to play Road Safety World Series in England: –
Road Safety World Series will be played next month in England. Pakistan team will also be participating. (Espncricinfo). pic.twitter.com/aJIGdnHnp5
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) August 5, 2023
Pakistan asli mein dusre team ka performance dekhne ja Raha hai bhai ??
— Akash Samanta™ (@AkashSamanta_) August 5, 2023
After few years kohli will also join this team ??
— Naseer_4732 (@4732Naseer) August 5, 2023
Pakistan will own India ??
— Rudraa (@rudra14_) August 5, 2023
Road safety series is better than IPL
— FIRE?? (@firefire0045) August 5, 2023
Pakis are so shameless, they will play a league which insulted them by not inviting them to India for last 2 seasons and still pakis will play it ??
— Zimbabar Azambwe (@Azam_says) August 5, 2023
Useless trophy time waste
— kanna (@kannar852) August 5, 2023
Excited ? to see Aussie legends winning it
— ICT Hater / ???? (@yorkerking01) August 5, 2023
Raipur to England what a downgrade
— Vijay Salgonkar (@VijaySalgonkar) August 5, 2023
So definitely IND vs Pak match ?
Sachin, Sehwag, Hafeez,Afridi, Akthar, Yuvraj,Kamran,Raina, Misbah etc..
— Virat Fan????? (@proudindian3007) August 5, 2023
According to sources Kohli will also play this
— samrat ? (@45isEmotion) August 5, 2023
