Australia are set to tour Pakistan in March 2022, the Pakistan Cricket Board confirmed on Monday (November 8). It will be Australia’s first tour to the country since 1998.
The tour will consist of three Tests, three ODIs and a solitary T20I, the PCB confirmed. The first Test will kickstart on March 3 in Karachi followed by the second Test in Rawalpindi and the third in Lahore. The four white-ball games will be played between March 29 to April 5 in Lahore.
The three-match Test series will be played as part of the ICC World Test Championship whereas the three ODIs will be a part of the ODI Super League. “I am delighted to welcome Australia to Pakistan,” PCB Chairman Ramiz Raja said. “From a personal point of view, 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.
“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.”
The news will come as a major relief to the PCB especially after the recent withdrawals of New Zealand and England. A Cricket Australia delegation will visit Pakistan ahead of the tour to discuss logistics, security and Covid-19 protocols.
“Cricket Australia is excited about the prospect of touring Pakistan next year for what will be a highly anticipated series in a country so incredibly passionate about the game and their national team,” Cricket Australia Chief Executive Nick Hockley said. “We thank the PCB for their considerable efforts in planning for the tour and look forward to continuing to work closely over the coming months to finalise the necessary operations, logistics, security and Covid-19 protocols.
“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.”
The last time Australia toured Pakistan in 1998, the visitors won the Test series 1-0 and followed it up by clinching the ODI rubber too. Since then, Pakistan have hosted Australia in Colombo and Sharjah in 2002, in England in 2010, in the UAE in 2014 and 2018.
Schedule
| Date | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| March 3-7 | 1st Test | Karachi |
| March 12-16 | 2nd Test | Rawalpindi |
| March 21-25 | 3rd Test | Lahore |
| March 29 | 1st ODI | Lahore |
| March 31 | 2nd ODI | Lahore |
| April 2 | 3rd ODI | Lahore |
| April 5 | Only T20I | Lahore |
