Australia are set to tour
Pakistan for the first time in 24 years to play a three-match Test and ODI
series and one-off T20I, Cricket Australia confirmed on Friday. Cricket
Australia’s confirmation came after several national team players expressed concern
about playing in Pakistan. Now after this confirmation,
Pakistan will host Australia in Rawalpindi, Karachi and Lahore for the Test
series, while the white-ball series will be played in Rawalpindi.

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According to the CA, the
series will start with the first Test on March 4 at Rawalpindi. The second and
third Tests will be played in Karachi and Lahore. The second start is scheduled
to start on March 12 while the third Test will start on March 21. The first two
ODIs will be played on 29 and 31 March while the third match will be played on
April 2.

The one-off T20I is
scheduled for 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.

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Since the 2009 Lahore
terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team bus, international cricket in Pakistan
has been the hardest hit. Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and West Indies are
the only teams to tour Pakistan in recent times. But these series did not yield
any huge financial benefits for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

Recently, the New Zealand
cricket team abandoned their tour of Pakistan only after landing in the
country, citing security threats. 
England too abandoned their recent tours over security concerns.

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“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 Hockley.

“We are looking forward
to an exciting series between two world-class teams.”

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Complete fixture:

1st Test, March 4-8,
Rawalpindi

2nd Test, March 12-16,
Karachi

3rd Test, March 21-25,
Lahore

1st ODI, March 29,
Rawalpindi

2nd ODI, March 31,
Rawalpindi

3rd ODI, April 2, Rawalpindi