Australia tour of Pakistan after 24 years

 Australian cricket team is touring Pakistan after 24 years. Australia tour of Pakistan comprised on 3 test, three ODIs and only one T20 match. Australian campaign has started with historical first at Rawalpindi Cricket stadium on 4^th April. Aussies last toured Pakistan in 1998 when Mark Taylor's team recorded a 1-0 victory in three matches Test series.

Top cricketing nation did not tour Pakistan since 2009 after the attack on the bus Sri Lankan cricket team. This tour of kangaroos will encourage the top cricketing nation to visit Pakistan for the betterment of cricket in Pakistan and all around the world. Successful tour of Australia will give the boost to Pakistan cricket and will increase the passion of cricket among the young generation of Pakistan. Young generation will get the opportunity to watch some big player playing in front of their eyes. Australian cricket team squad included some big names of world cricket like Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, David warner and captain Pat Cummins.

A big cricketing nation is touring Pakistan is not happening over a night, it is a long journey. It was very difficult to bring cricket back in Pakistan after terror attack on Sri Lankan cricket team bus in Lahore outside the Gaddafi stadium.

In 2009 when Sri Lankan team was on tour of Pakistan a terror attack happened on Sri Lanka cricket team bus Lahore. From 2009 to 2019 Pakistan did not host any international cricket team at home. Pakistan played its all home series in UAE, Dubai international stadium after 2009.In 2015 international cricket return in Pakistan when Zimbabwe full team squad tour Pakistan for limited over series.

The final of PSL 2017 was undoubtedly the biggest game played in Pakistan since 2009.It was small step but proved a big leap to bring cricket back in Pakistan.

In May 2017, Pakistan hosted the World XI led by Faf du plessis, the captain of south African cricket at that time, for the series of three T20 matches.

After that in October 2017, Sri Lankan cricket team came back in Pakistan after 8 years of terror attack on them in Lahore. Once again 2018, PSL Final held in Karachi.

West indies in April 2018 became the 3rd test playing team to visit Pakistan after 2009 but big names were not part of team.

Once again Sri Lanka toured Pakistan in October 2018. This time Sri Lanka played both ODl and T20s series.

Holding nine game of final stage of PSL  2019 in Pakistan was big step to bring cricket back in country.

New Zealand cricket team called off its tour of Pakistan just minutes before Rawalpindi match and issued the statement that they abounding the tour due to security threats.

And now Australia cricket team is touring Pakistan for the series of all three formats with full squad. Sportsman always an ambassador. So the views of Australian players will present a good and soft image to the all-world. In spite of blast in a mosque of Peshawar they decide to continue their journey. The head coach of Australian cricket team Andrew MacDonald said that they are in safe hand. All the players are very confident and happy on being here in Pakistan after 24 years. The Australian left arm opener Usman Khawaja said that his father always wants to see him playing in Pakistan. So, it is good news for all cricket fans in Pakistan and around the globe. Now cricket is back in Pakistan and I think it is start of new era of cricket in Pakistan.

 

Fixtures

Tests 

4-8 Mar – 1st Test, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi

12-16 Mar – 2nd Test, National Stadium, Karachi

21-25 Mar – 3rd Test, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

 ODIs

29 Mar – 1st ODI, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi

31 Mar – 2nd ODI, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi

2 Apr – 3rd ODI, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi

T20I

5 Apr – only T20I, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi