New Delhi: Cricket Australia (CA) on Friday confirmed that Australia will tour Pakistan for the first time in 24 years. The Kangaroo team will play three Tests, three ODIs, and a solitary T20I on their tour starting March 4.
According to the revised schedule, the visiting team will reach Islamabad on February 27 and will be in isolation for a day. According to the agreement between the cricket boards of the two countries, Australia's Test team will complete the isolation at their home before taking a chartered flight. After a day's isolation, the visiting team will start its training session at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
Australia's tour of Pakistan will now begin in Rawalpindi with the first Test match starting from March 4. The three-match ODI series and the only T20 match will also be played at this venue. However, the second and third Tests will be held in Karachi and Lahore respectively. Notably, the ODI series and T20 match will clash with IPL 2022, which can start from March 27. While Australia's tour of Pakistan is to end on 5 April.
Meanwhile, according to Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Faisal Hasnain, Cricket Australia has confirmed that their best players will tour Pakistan.
"We are pleased that the Cricket Australia Board has formally approved their side's five-week tour itinerary and confirmed that their best available players will visit Pakistan for the first time in 24 years," said Hasnain as quoted by the news agency PTI.
"We are really excited to host Pat Cummins and his players, and look forward to a competitive series that will comprise three Tests, three ODIs and a T20I," Hasnain said.
Australia's tour will be a big deal for Pakistan as New Zealand and England canceled the tour last year citing different reasons. Security was also a major concern behind this.
"While Australia will arrive at the back of strong performances in their home series against England, our team has been playing excellent cricket resulting in our players sweeping the ICC Awards," Hasnain.
Revised Pakistan tour dates:
March 4-8: 1st Test, Rawalpindi
March 12-16: 2nd Test, Karachi
March 21-25: 3rd Test, Lahore
March 29: 1st ODI, Rawalpindi
March 31: 2nd ODI, Rawalpindi
April 2: 3rd ODI, Rawalpindi