MELBOURNE: Expressing confidence in the security measures taken by Pakistan, Australia men's team selectors George Bailey on Wednesday said Cricket Australia (CA) and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) were in touch to finalize the much-awaited. Travel.
Australia are scheduled to play three Tests, as many ODIs and one T20I in March and April this year in their first tour of the country since November 1998.
George Bailey said in a statement that as soon as Cricket Australia approves the tour of Pakistan, they will announce the squad.
"Pakistan has made elaborate security arrangements [for Australia's upcoming tour of Pakistan]," Bailey admitted.
This will be the first time that an Australian side will tour Pakistan to play a cricket series after 24 years, with Islamabad eagerly looking to revive international cricket and host foreign teams.
The first Test match between the two sides will be played in Karachi from March 3 while the second Test will be played in Rawalpindi from March 12-16.
Australia in talks with Pakistan over selection of venue
A day earlier, The Sunday Morning Herald had reported that the CA and the PCB are in talks about the venues of the Test matches.
The longer format matches are scheduled to take place under the lights of stadiums in Karachi, Rawalpindi and Lahore, however, talks were on with [PCB] about the possibility of playing all three Tests at the same venue due to health and safety reasons. ", the publication had reported.
Some Australians are still uneasy about touring Pakistan, but according to the publication, they were encouraged after receiving reports of a successful West Indies tour of the country.
"The tour will be made as short as possible, as bowlers will need to increase their workload for the Test series starting on March 3," the publication reported.
PCB dismisses Australian report about single venue for Test series
The PCB, however, had said that there is no proposal to play all the three Test matches against Australia at the same venue.
The Cricket Board had stated that the matches would be held as per the schedule, "It is impossible to organize 19 days of international cricket on one ground.
It had further said that the apex COVID-19 body would be approached closer to the series to take a decision on the viewership.