Cricket Australia has confirmed an all-format tour of Pakistan after 24 years, as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) released the schedule for the Kangaroos’ visit to the Asian country for the first time since 1998. Australia will tour Pakistan in March 2022 for a series of 3 Tests, 3 ODIs, and 1 T20I match.
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.
PCB chairman Ramiz Raja called the three-Test series a "connoisseurs delight".
“It pleases me no end that we'll be engaged in a three-Test match series, connoisseurs delight. 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.
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Likewise, it will be a great opportunity for the Australia cricketers to not only play at our iconic venues but also feel and enjoy the respect, love, and hospitality that this great country offers, something which most of their previous generation of cricketers missed out by playing offshore,” Ramiz Raja said in a press release.
Cricket Australia chief executive Nick Hockley said the organisation would "continue to work closely over the coming months to finalize the necessary operations, logistics, security and COVID-19 protocols".
"The safety and welfare of our players and staff remain 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.
Confirmation of Australia's return is a major boon for Pakistan after New Zealand and England both canceled plans to tour the country this year.
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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 finalize matters relating to team operations, logistics, security, and Covid-19 protocols.
Australia Tour of Pakistan 2022:
March 3-7: First Test, Karachi
March 12-16: Second Test, Rawalpindi
March 21-25: Third Test, Lahore
March 29: First ODI, Lahore
March 31: Second ODI, Lahore
April 2: Third ODI, Lahore
April 5: Only T20, Lahore
(PCB/ Cricket Australia inputs)
