Australia to tour Pakistan for the first time since 1998

The Australian cricket team is set to tour Pakistan for the first time in 24 years after its board confirmed the schedule on Friday. The Kangaroos will begin the tour with the three-match Test series at Rawalpindi.

In a statement, Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley said, " This is a historic occasion and important for the global growth and health of the game."

The first Test will begin on March 6 while the next two Tests will be played at Karachi and Lahore respectively. On April 5, Australia will conclude a month-long tour with three one-day internationals and a T20 match with Rawalpindi hosting all the limited-overs fixtures.

Australia last toured Pakistan in 1998 when they clinched the three-match Test series 1-0 under the captaincy of Mark Taylor.

Pakistan has not hosted any foreign sides at home since the 2009 deadly attack on the Sri Lanka team bus. Also, New Zealand and England have cancelled their Pakistan tour recently over security concerns.

Also read: Pakistani pacer Mohammad Hasnain banned for illegal action

Australia tour of Pakistan full schedule:

March 4-8: 1st Test, Rawalpindi

March 12-16: 2nd Test, Karachi

March 21-25: 3rd Test, Lahore

March 29: 1st ODI, Rawalpindi

March 31: 2nd ODI, Rawalpindi

April 2: 3rd ODI, Rawalpindi

April 5: T20I, Rawalpindi