Sports
PCB reveals revised schedule of Australia's tour to Pakistan
This is the first time they will be touring Pakistan in 24 years.
Lahore: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Cricket Australia (CA) Friday announced the revised schedule of the Australia men's cricket team's tour of Pakistan in 2022.
According to an official statement, the Australian Test team will arrive in the country on February 27.
Upon arrival, Australia team undergo one-day room isolation and then they will start their training sessions at Pindi Cricket Stadium.
As per revised schedule, the tour will now commence on March 4 with Rawalpindi hosting the tour-opening first Test—swapping with Karachi, which will now host the second Test from March 12.
The Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore will be the venue for the final Test.
The Australia cricket team will play three Tests, three One Day Internationals (ODIs), and one T20I at three different venues — Rawalpindi, Karachi, and Lahore.
Interestingly, the ODI series and the T20I is clashing with the IPL 2022 which is set to start on March 27 while the tour is concluding on April 5.
The schedule, however, has been revised to ease logistical and operational challenges as well as to avoid Pakistan Day rehearsals, which usually commence in Islamabad in the second week of March.
"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," chief executive Nick Hockley said.
He further added, "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,” added Nick.
"We are looking forward to an exciting series between two world-class teams.”
Here’s the revised schedule:
27 February – Arrival in Islamabad
4-8 March – 1st Test, Rawalpindi
12-16 March – 2nd Test, Karachi
21-25 March – 3rd Test, Lahore
29 March – 1st ODI, Rawalpindi
31 March – 2nd ODI, Rawalpindi
2 April – 3rd ODI, Rawalpindi
5 April – one-off T20I, Rawalpindi
6 April – Departure