Cricket Australia confirmed on Friday that the Australian men’s cricket team will begin their Pakistan tour with a Test match in Rawalpindi on March 4. The remaining two Test matches of the three-match series will be played in Karachi and Lahore respectively. This will also be Australia’s first tour of Pakistan since 1998. The tour was announced after getting the green signal from the governments of both the countries and the players’ union.
The three-match Test series will be followed by three ODIs and one T20I to be played in Rawalpindi from March 29 to April 5. The schedule has been modified to reduce the logistical and operational challenges as well as to avoid the Pakistan Day rehearsals, which usually begin. In Islamabad in the second week of March.
“I want to thank the PCB and both the Pakistan and Australian governments for ensuring that this tour goes ahead for the first time in 24 years. This is a historic occasion and important for the global development and health of the sport. I would also like to thank the Australian Cricketers’ Association and the players, coaches, support teams, staff and security experts for their cooperation in planning the tour. CA Chief Executive Nick Hockley said, “We are looking forward to an exciting series between two world-class teams.
Both cricket boards have also agreed that the Australia Test team will complete its isolation in Australia before reaching Islamabad on a chartered flight on February 27. After the one-day room isolation, they will conduct training sessions at the Pindi Cricket Stadium.
Australian white-ball players are expected to reach Lahore on March 24 after being isolated in Australia. After a one-day isolation on arrival, he will integrate with other members of the side and travel to Islamabad for the first ODI in Rawalpindi on March 29.
“We are delighted that the Cricket Australia Board has formally approved their side’s five-week tour schedule and confirmed that their best available players will tour Pakistan for the first time in 24 years. We are proud of Pat Cummins and his really excited to host the players, and look forward to a competitive series that will include three Tests, three ODIs and one T20I,” said PCB Chief Executive Officer Faisal Hasnain.
“While Australia will arrive on the back of a strong performance in their home series against England, our team has been playing excellent cricket which has resulted in our players winning ICC awards. It makes for a fiercely contested series, something that fans will thoroughly enjoy and remember for a long time.”
The Tests will be part of the ICC World Test Championship, while the ODIs are tied to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League, in which the top eight sides, including hosts India, will directly qualify for the 2023 Men’s Cricket World Cup.
Australia tour of Pakistan
February 27: Arrival in Islamabad
March 4-8: 1st Test, Rawalpindi
March 12-16: Second Test, Karachi
March 21-25: Third Test, Lahore
March 29: 1st ODI, Rawalpindi
March 31: 2nd ODI, Rawalpindi
April 2: 3rd ODI, Rawalpindi
April 5: T20I, Rawalpindi
April 6: Departure
(with IANS inputs)
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