Australia to tour Pakistan next year for first time in 24 years

Gulf Today Report

Australia will tour Pakistan next year for the first time since 1998 with the visitors playing three tests, three one-day internationals and a Twenty20 match from March to April, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said on Monday.

Australia will tour Pakistan for the first time in 24 years in March-April, despite England and New Zealand recently pulling out of matches there.

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Australia will play three Tests, as many one-day internationals and a single Twenty20 international.

Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ramiz Raja gestures for a photograph. File photo

"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," Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ramiz Raja said in a statement.

The announcement is a huge boost for Pakistan cricket after New Zealand and England cancelled tours in September citing security concerns.

"I am delighted to welcome Australia 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," PCB Chairman Ramiz Raja said in a statement.

England's players celebrate after the dismissal of Sri Lanka's captain Dasun Shanaka in Sharjah. File/AFP

"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.

During their cricketing isolation, Pakistan were forced to play their home matches on neutral venues, including in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Cricket Australia's delegation will visit Pakistan to meet with PCB officials and Pakistani authorities to discuss and finalise matters relating to team operations, logistics, security and Covid-19 protocols.

The first Test will be held in Karachi, while Rawalpindi will host the second and Lahore the third.

All white-ball matches will be held in Lahore.

New Zealand's players celebrate after the dismissal of Afghanistan's Hazratullah Zazai in Abu Dhabi. AFP

Australia beat Pakistan 1-0 in a three-test series the last time they toured the country. Pakistan have since played their 'home' tests against Australia in the United Arab Emirates.

International teams have largely refused to tour Pakistan since an attack by Islamist militants on the Sri Lanka team bus in Lahore in 2009 that killed six policemen and two civilians.

Cricket Australia Chief Executive Nick Hockley thanked the PCB for their "considerable efforts" in planning for the tour and that the operations, logistics, security and COVID-19 protocols would be worked out over the coming months.

"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 said in the statement.