Pakistan Tour to Go Ahead As Plunkett Gets Call-up

England's cricketers will press ahead with their tour of Pakistan later this month despite the earthquake that killed 30,000 people in the country last Saturday.

The quake struck the Kashmir region of northern Pakistan, India and Afghanistan and has wrought devastation on the area, ruining homes, public buildings and communication networks.

However, the England and Wales Cricket Board today announced that, unless they receive advice to the contrary, the team will fly out on October 26 as planned.

"Our position is that we take our lead from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Pakistani government and the Pakistan Cricket Board," said ECB director of communications Colin Gibson. "At the moment unless we hear something or unless we are advised otherwise, the tour goes ahead as scheduled."

The PCB and ECB are also discussing ways in which the tour can contribute to the relief effort which is already underway.

"We have sent our condolences via our chairman (David Morgan), who is with the PCB chairman in Australia for the Super Series," added Gibson. "We have sent our condolences to the people of Pakistan and we are looking at ways of helping Pakistan's relief funds as well."

England are scheduled to play three Tests and five one-day internationals before Christmas, with the tour stopping off at Rawalpindi, Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad and Karachi.

Meanwhile, Liam Plunkett has been called into the England squad for the tour as a replacement for the injured Simon Jones. The 20-year-old Durham paceman was already selected for the one-day squad but will now play a full role in the tour.

Plunkett, born in Middlesbrough, took 51 wickets in the Frizzell County Championship for Durham last season as promotion from Division Two was secured.

"I've tried to perform well this year and to now be in the England Test squad is fantastic, I'm over the moon," said Plunkett. "Just to be a part of the Test squad is massive for me, even if I don't get to play in a Test match while I'm in Pakistan I'll learn so much from being around such a quality group of players."