By: ChandrashekarBhat
CRICKET AUSTRALIA on Friday (4) confirmed its first tour of Pakistan since 1998, locking in a three-Test series despite lingering security concerns.
Australia will play Tests – in Rawalpindi, Karachi and Lahore – fresh off the back of a comprehensive home Ashes victory against England.
They will also play three one-day internationals and a T20 capping the month-long tour on April 5.
“The tour will proceed for the first time in 24 years. This is a historic occasion and important for the global growth and health of the game,” said Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley.
The tour will be a huge boost for Pakistan, which was hit hard when New Zealand and England abandoned recent tours over security concerns.
Cricket-mad Pakistan has struggled to entice foreign sides back after home internationals were suspended after a deadly terror attack on the Sri Lanka Test side in 2009.
Pakistan were forced to play their home international matches abroad – mostly in the United Arab Emirates – until 2015, when normal service tentatively resumed.
“We are looking forward to an exciting series between two world-class teams,” said Hockley.
The fixtures
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
April 5: T20I, Rawalpindi
(AFP)
