Australia's men cricket team will tour Pakistan in March and April next year, their first visit to the country since 1998, to play a series of Test, one-day internationals (ODIs) and a one-off T20 match, the Pakistan Cricket Board announced on Monday.
As per the statement, the tour comprise three Tests, three ODIs and one T20I. The Tests will take place in Karachi (3-7 March), Rawalpindi (12-16 March) and Lahore (21-25 March), while Lahore will be the venue for the four white-ball matches to be played from 29 March to 5 April.
The Tests will be played as part of the ICC World Test Championship, while the ODIs will be connected to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League – a 13-team event from which the seven highest-placed sides and the hosts, India, will qualify directly for the event proper in 2023, the statement adds.
PCB Chairman Ramiz Raja said he was looking forward to welcome the Aussies to Pakistan. "From a personal point of view, it pleases me no end that we’ll be engaged in a three-Test match series, connoisseurs delight," he said.
“Australia are one of the high-performing sides and them playing in our backyard for the first time after a gap of 24 years will be a special treat for the fans.
Cricket Australia Chief Executive Nick Hockley said he was looking forward to the exciting brand of cricket the two nations are known for. “Pakistan is a formidable opposition with an exceptionally talented team, as evidenced by their dynamic performances in the current ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in the UAE."
Hockley also lauded the PCB for their considerable efforts in planning for the tour, adding that he the two boards would continuing to work closely over the coming months to finalise the necessary operations, logistics, security and Covid-19 protocols.
“The safety and welfare of our players and staff remains our number one priority, and we will continue to work with the PCB and relevant agencies to ensure that appropriate and sufficient arrangements are put in place for the tour," he added.
As part of the reconnoitering process, Cricket Australia’s delegation will visit Pakistan to meet with PCB officials as well as provincial and federal authorities to discuss and finalise matters relating to team operations, logistics, security and Covid-19 protocols, the statement continued.
Australia last toured Pakistan in 1998-99 when Mark Taylor led them to a 1-0 series victory – their first since Richie Benaud’s side defeated Fazal Mahmood’s team by 2-0 in the 1959-60 series. Between the two series, Pakistan hosted Australia in 1964-65 (drew 0-0), 1979-80 (won 1-0), 1982-83 (won 3-0), 1988-89 (won 1-0) and 1994-95 (won 1-0).
Pakistan staged the last four series with Australia offshore – 2002-2003 (Colombo and Sharjah, Pakistan lost 3-0), 2010 (drew 1-1 in England), 2014-15 (won 2-0 in the UAE) and 2018-19 (won 1-0 in the UAE).
The Pakistan Cricket Board announced details for the seven-match tour on Monday.
3-7 Mar – 1st Test, Karachi
12-16 Mar – 2nd Test, Rawalpindi
21-25 Mar – 3rd Test, Lahore
29 Mar – 1st ODI, Lahore
31 Mar – 2nd ODI, Lahore
2 Apr – 3rd ODI, Lahore
5 Apr – only T20I, Lahore
Expressing excitement over the upcoming series, social media users welcomed Australian team.
