LONDON: England will host Pakistan for two Tests in 2018 before India arrive for a five-match Test series, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced on Tuesday.

England and India will play three Twenty20 Internationals in July, followed by three One-day Internationals and then Tests at Edgbaston, Lord`s, Trent Bridge, Southampton and The Oval.

England`s schedule for the year also includes meetings with Pakistan, Australia and Scotland.

England will play seven Tests, nine One-day Internationals and four Twenty20 Internationals in 2018 and begin their season on May 24 against Pakistan, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said.

England and Pakistan, who drew 2-2 in the four-Test series last year, face off in Tests at Lord`s and Headingley.

Next up for England is a trip to Edinburgh for an One-day International on June 10 where Eoin Morgan`s men face Scotland.

Arch-rivals Australia visit England for five One-dayInternationals and a solitary Twenty20 International between June 13 and 27 before the India series begins with three Twenty20 Internationals and three One-day Internationals in July.

The attention then shifts to the five-match Test series against Virat Kohli`s men with the opening fixture beginning at Edgbaston on Aug 1.

`A five-Test series against India is at the heart of next summer`s international programme,` said ECB chief executive officer Tom Harrison in a press release. `This is always a much-anticipated contest which attracts a huge following across the globe for the five-day game.

`Test match cricket has a strong, consistent and passionate following across England and Wales and the seven summer Tests, starting with the Pakistan matches, are sure to attract good crowds.

`Alongside these, England`s white-ball contests against India, Australia and Scotland will give a fascinating guide to form ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup, to be staged here in 2019.

It will be only the second timeIndia, the world`s number One Test side, play a five-Test series in England since 1959.

Schedule: May 24-28: England vs Pakistan First Test (l.ord`s).

June I -5: Engla nd vs Pakistan Second Test ( Headingley).

June 10: England vs Scotland One-off ODI (Edinburgh).

June 13: England vs Australia First ODI (The Oval).

June 16: lingland vs Australia Sceond ODI (Cardiff).

June 19: England vs Australia Third ODI (Trent Bridge).

June 21: England vs Australia Fourth ODI (Chester-le-Street).

June 24: England vs Australia liitïh ODl (Old Trafford).

June 27: England vs Austral ia One-off lventy20 International (Edgbaston).

July 3: England vs India First Twenty20 International (Old Tralford).

July 6: lingland vs india Second Twenty20 international (Cardiff).

July 8: England vs india Third Twenty20 international (Bristol).

July 12: England vs India First ODI (Trent Bridge).

July 14: England vs India Second ODI (Lord`s).

July 17: lingland vs india-ThirdODl (Headingley).

Aug 1-5: Eingland vs india liirst Test (Éidgbaston).

Aug 9-13: England vs India Second Test (1 ord`s).

Aug 18-22: England vs India Third Test (Trent Bridge).

Aug 30-Sept 3: England vs India Fourth Test (Southampton).

Sept 7-11: Eingland vs india liitïh Test (The Oval).-Agencies