The chief executive of Cricket Australia (CA) has cleared the air over uncertainty surrounding his team’s tour of Pakistan scheduled for next year, saying the bilateral series will go ahead as planned despite Covid-19 concerns.
Australia will play three Tests, three one-day internationals (ODIs) and one Twenty-20 international (T20I) match in a month-long series commencing from March 3.
The Test matches will be played in Karachi, Rawalpindi and Lahore from March 3 to 25, while all four white-ball matches will be played in Lahore from March 29 to April 5.
“We are working closely with the Pakistan Cricket Board and all the authorities. It’s a really complex endeavour, we are very committed to touring. It is absolutely our intention to tour as long as it is safe to do so,” CA chief Nick Hockley was quoted as telling reporters at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday by Gulf News.
Australia have not visited Pakistan since 1998 and the two countries have met only in Australia, UAE and England.
PCB chairman Ramiz Raja had earlier this week expressed confidence that Australia, along with England and New Zealand, will tour Pakistan next year as per schedule.
“We have made the world realise about our presence at the International Cricket Council meetings,” Ramiz had said, sitting alongside incoming PCB chief operating officer Faisal Hasnain.
England, who were due to send their men’s and women’s team in October — with the men’s team due to play two Twenty20s, then withdrew their teams due to concerns over their players’ mental health while travelling to Pakistan.
At that point in time, it seemed Australia’s scheduled tour in March next year would also not go ahead.
