Lahore: The schedule of a much-awaited series between Pakistan and Australia is likely to change as Cricket Australia has suggested starting the games from Rawalpindi instead of Karachi, sources familiar with the matter said.
Meanwhile, as per the schedule released by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the first Test match is to be played between the two sides in Karachi from March 3, while the second Test is to be played in Rawalpindi from March 12-16.
In all, Pat Cummins' Australian side will take on the Men in Green for three Test matches, an equal number of ODIs and one T20I.
This will be Australia's first tour of Pakistan in 24 years.
"Talks are on between the PCB and Cricket Australia officials to finalize the schedule," sources said on Wednesday.
As per the schedule, the teams will play the third Test match on March 21-25 in Lahore.
The Tests will be played as part of the ICC World Test Championship, while ODIs will be linked to the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Super League – a 13-team event with seven top-ranked sides and hosts India. Qualify directly for the proper event in 2023.
The PCB had said that all four white-ball matches of the series would be held in Lahore from March 29 to April 5.
The last time an Australian team played a series was in Pakistan in 1998 when Mark Taylor led them to a 1–0 series win – after Richie Benaud's side beat Fazal Mahmood's team 2–0 in the 1959–60 series. After his first.
Between the two series, Pakistan hosted Australia in 1964–65 (0–0 draw), 1979–80 (won 1–0), 1982–83 (won 3–0), 1988–89 (1–0). -0) and -95 in 1994 (won 1-0).
Pakistan staged the last four series with Australia offshore – 2002–2003 (lost to Colombo and Sharjah, Pakistan 3–0), 2010 (1–1 draw in England), 2014–15 (2–2 in UAE). 0) and 2018- 19 (won 1-0 in UAE).