Australia set to tour Pakistan after 24 years

Australia are set to tour Pakistan in March 2022 for three Tests, three ODIs and a one-off T20I, the Pakistan Cricket Board announced on Monday (November 8). This will be the first time Australia will be travelling to Pakistan in 24 years. 

The two teams are currently in the UAE and are set to collide in the second semifinal of the 2021 T20 World Cup. 

The first Test will be played in Karachi (March 3-7), while the next two will take place in Rawalpindi (March 12-16) and Lahore (March 21-25) respectively. All three ODIs (March 29 - April 2) and a solitary T20I (April 5) too will be played in Lahore.

This will come as a huge boost to Pakistan cricket after New Zealand and England both cancelled their plans to tour the country earlier this year. In September, New Zealand, who were already in Pakistan, went back home without playing a game due to a security threat and soon after, England too announced they won't be touring the country ahead of the T20 World Cup, dealing a huge setback to the PCB's efforts in bringing high-quality international cricket to the country.

"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," said Ramiz Raja.

"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."

Meanwhile, Cricket Australia chief executive Nick Hockley said: "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. Pakistan is a formidable opposition with an exceptionally talented team, as evidenced by their dynamic performances in the current ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in the UAE.

"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."

Australia last toured Pakistan in 1998 and won the three-match Test series 1-0. There were scheduled to travel to Pakistan in 2002 but a suicide bombing in Karachi a few months before the tour saw the series moved to Colombo and the UAE. The 2010 series was played in England, while the next two series were played in the UAE.