PCB revises itinerary of Australia tour to Pakistan, Rawalpindi to host limited-overs leg

Cricket Australia (CA) has confirmed that their national team will tour Pakistan and will play three Tests, ODIs and a one-off T20I. Notably, the schedule has been tweaked a little bit.

Earlier, the first Test match was meant to start from March 3 in Karachi, but as per the new schedule, the series will start from March 4 in Rawalpindi, while the second and third Tests are now scheduled in Karachi and Lahore, respectively. Further, the limited-over leg of the series, which was initially set to be hosted in Lahore, will now be played in Rawalpindi.

The series was looking in jeopardy due to blasts in Lahore which killed at least three people last month. On February 4, the CA approved the multi-format tour of Pakistan. This is the first time an Aussie team is touring the Asian country since 1998 when the Mark Taylor-led side beat Pakistan by 1-0 in the three-match series while the Steve Waugh-led side clean swept the hosts by 3-0.

Meanwhile, CA chief executive Nick Hockley thanked the Pakistan Cricket Board and governments of Australia and Pakistan for making sure that the series goes ahead.

“I would like to thank the PCB and both the Pakistan and Australian Governments for ensuring the tour will proceed for the first time in 24 years," said chief executive Nick Hockley.

"This is a historic occasion and important for the global growth and health of the game.

“I would also like to thank the Australian Cricketers’ Association and the players, coaches, support teams, staff and security experts for their collaboration in the planning for the tour.

“We are looking forward to an exciting series between two world-class teams.”

Revised Australia tour of Pakistan tour schedule: 

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