Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the long-pending schedule for the five-match ODI series against Australia. The series, slated to be played at all three venues of the UAE, will start on March 22.
PCB had withheld the announcement as it was in the middle of the talks with Cricket Australia, persuading them to play at least two of the five games in Pakistan. However, the Australian board turned down the request with a promise for the future.
“The PCB was optimistic that it would be able to convince Cricket Australia to send its side for some matches after successfully staging high-profile bilateral international series and the HBL Pakistan Super League matches in the past 18 months. But, we are disappointed for the enthusiastic and passionate cricket fans in Pakistan who will now have to wait for some more time before they can see the Australia cricket team live in action for the first time since 1998,” said the PCB Director Cricket – International, Zakir Khan.
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“However, the CA has confirmed that they will send their security expert to oversee the execution of security plans for the HBL PSL 2019 matches and bilateral series against other international sides in Pakistan, and will also speak with the ICC-recommended PCB security consultant. In the meantime, the CA have confirmed they will maintain regular contact with the ICC,” he added.
The Green Shirts are currently ranked fifth on the ICC ODI rankings, while the Kangaroos are at the sixth place – just two points behind.
The series will test Pakistan team’s preparations for the upcoming World Cup as Australia are an improved side compared to their last UAE visit were they lost the T20I series 3-0.
Pak-Australia ODI Series Schedule
With Sharjah returning as one of the venues, the series opener and the second game will be played on March 22 and 24 respectively.
Abu Dhabi will get only one – the third game – of the series on March 27, whereas, Dubai International Stadium will host the last two matches of the series on March 29 and 31.
