Juan J. Monroe 
Lahore: The Test series between Pakistan and Australia is now due to start from March 4 in Rawalpindi.
The Pakistan Cricket Board and Cricket Australia announced the revised schedule for Australia’s tour of Pakistan on Friday for three Tests, three ODIs and a T20I.
The opening test match will be played from March 4-8 in Rawalpindi and the four white ball matches will be played from March 29-April 5.
“We are delighted that the Cricket Australia Board have officially approved their team’s five-week tour itinerary and confirmed that their best available players will visit Pakistan for the first time in 24 years. We are truly delighted. to welcome Pat Cummins and his players, and look forward to a competitive series that will include three Tests, three ODIs and a T20I,” PCB Managing Director Faisal Hasnain said in an official statement.
“While Australia will come in after strong performances in their home series against England, our team played excellent cricket which saw our players win the ICC Awards. something that fans will thoroughly appreciate and remember for a long time,” the statement added.
The change in venue for the first test means that the second test will be played in Karachi from March 12-16 and the third in Lahore from March 21-25.
The schedule has been revised to ease logistical and operational challenges as well as to avoid repeats of Pakistan Day, which usually starts in Islamabad in the second week of March.
The two cricket boards have also agreed that the Australia Test team will complete their isolation in Australia, before arriving in Islamabad on February 27 on a chartered flight. After a day of indoor isolation, they will hold training sessions at Pindi Cricket Stadium.
Australian whiteball players are expected to arrive in Lahore on March 24 after self-isolation in Australia. After a day of isolation upon arrival, they will blend in with other members of the camp and travel to Islamabad for the first ODI in Rawalpindi on March 29.
The Tests will be part of the ICC World Test Championship, while the ODIs are linked to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League from which the top eight teams, including hosts India , will qualify directly for the 2023 World Cup 50-over.
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Posted: Friday, February 4, 2022, 2:35 PM IST
