LAHORE: In a significant improvement for the Pakistani cricket followers, the Australian crew’s tour to the nation – the primary in 24 years – has been formally endorsed by the Cricket Australia’s Board in a gathering on Friday.

Australia final toured Pakistan in 1998 when Mark Taylor’s crew recorded a 1-0 win from the three-Check collection.

Following the approval, Pakistan Cricket Board and Cricket Australia introduced the revised itinerary for 3 Assessments, three ODIs and one T20I.

The tour will now begin and finish in Rawalpindi with the opening Check to be performed from 4-8 March and the 4 white-ball matches to be performed from 29 March to five April.

The change within the first Check venue signifies that the second Check can be performed in Karachi from 12-16 March and the third in Lahore from 21-25 March.

Expressing his satisfaction on the affirmation of the much-awaited tour, PCB Chief Government Faisal Hasnain stated: “We are pleased that the Cricket Australia Board has formally approved their side’s five-week tour itinerary and confirmed that their best available players will visit Pakistan for the first time in 24 years.”

“We are really excited to host Pat Cummins and his players, and look forward to a competitive series that will comprise three Tests, three ODIs and a T20I,” he stated.

The PCB CEO stated that whereas Australia will arrive behind sturdy performances of their dwelling collection in opposition to England, the nationwide crew has been taking part in wonderful cricket leading to Pakistani gamers sweeping the ICC Awards.

This braces for a keenly contested collection, one thing that the followers will completely take pleasure in and bear in mind for a very long time, he stated.

Revised schedule

The schedule has been revised to ease logistical and operational challenges in addition to to keep away from Pakistan Day rehearsals, which normally begin in Islamabad within the second week of March.

The 2 cricket boards have additionally agreed that the Australia Check facet will full their isolation in Australia, earlier than arriving in Islamabad on 27 February on a chartered flight. After a one-day room isolation, they are going to maintain coaching classes on the Pindi Cricket Stadium.

Australia’s white-ball gamers are anticipated to reach in Lahore on 24 March following isolation in Australia and after one-day isolation upon arrival, they are going to combine with different members of the facet and journey to Islamabad for the primary ODI in Rawalpindi on 29 March.

The Assessments can be a part of the ICC World Check Championship, whereas the ODIs are linked to the ICC Males’s Cricket World Cup Tremendous League from which the highest eight sides, together with hosts India, will qualify straight for the 2023 50-over World Cup.

‘Historic ocassion’

In an announcement issued right now, the CA stated that the board has formally endorsed the lads’s crew’s tour of Pakistan, breaking a 24-year drought.

“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 schedule:

27 Feb – Arrival in Islamabad

4-8 Mar – 1st Check, Rawalpindi

12-16 Mar – 2nd Check, Karachi

21-25 Mar – third Check, Lahore

29 Mar – 1st ODI, Rawalpindi

31 Mar – 2nd ODI, Rawalpindi

2 April – third ODI, Rawalpindi

5 Apr – one-off T20I, Rawalpindi

6 Apr – Departure