Australia To Tour Pakistan For The First Time In 24 Years

Cricket Australia on Friday confirmed its first tour of Pakistan since 1998, locking in a three-Test series despite lingering security concerns.

Australia will play Tests -- in Rawalpindi, Karachi and Lahore -- fresh off the back of a comprehensive home Ashes victory against England.

They will also play three one day internationals and a T20 capping the month-long tour on April 5.

"The tour will proceed for the first time in 24 years. This is a historic occasion and important for the global growth and health of the game," said Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley.

The tour will be a huge boost for Pakistan, which was hit hard when New Zealand and England abandoned recent tours over security concerns

Australia will travel to Pakistan for the first time in 24 years!
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.#Cricket #PAKvAUS #AustraliaCricket #PakistanCricket pic.twitter.com/oqhrwjsIbW

— CRICKETNMORE (@cricketnmore) February 4, 2022

Cricket-mad Pakistan has struggled to entice foreign sides back after home internationals were suspended after a deadly terror attack on the Sri Lanka Test side in 2009.

Pakistan were forced to play their home international matches abroad -- mostly in the United Arab Emirates -- until 2015 when normal service tentatively resumed.

"We are looking forward to an exciting series between two world-class teams," said Hockley.

The fixtures are:

• March 4-8: 1st Test, Rawalpindi
• March 12-16: 2nd Test, Karachi
• March 21-25: 3rd Test, Lahore
• March 29: 1st ODI, Rawalpindi
• March 31: 2nd ODI, Rawalpindi
• April 2: 3rd ODI, Rawalpindi
• April 5: T20I, Rawalpindi