Pakistan’s hopes of holding ODI matches against Australia on its own soil received a boost with Cricket Australia officials reportedly set to visit the country in the near future to review security arrangements.
International cricket in Pakistan has been on a hiatus since 2009 following the terrorist attacks on the Sri Lanka team bus and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has been putting on the moves in recent times to change that scenario.
Incoming PCB managing director Wasim Khan has stated in several interviews that he is determined to bring back international cricket to Pakistan in a big way. With the Men in Green set to face Australia in an ODI series in the UAE just ahead of the 2019 World Cup, the board has reached out to their Aussie counterparts in a bid to hold some of the matches on Pakistan soil.
The approach had been received positively by Cricket Australia (CA) who have kept the option of the national team touring Pakistan open.
“We are in ongoing discussions with the PCB about the one-day tour in March next year. We recognise the PCB and the Pakistan government are taking every step to improve the security for touring cricket teams and we’ll continue discussions with the PCB, with the safety and security of Australian players and support staff being our number one priority,” a CA official had told Sydney Morning Herald recently.
International cricket remains at a crossroads in Pakistan.
Now, according to a report by The News International, a team of CA officials will visit the country during the 2019 edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) to gauge the levels of security.
“Yes, indications are very bright about Australia team’s plan to play a part of forthcoming One-Day series in Pakistan. They have planned to play at least two of the scheduled five matches in Pakistan. Rest is to be held in UAE,” the report quoted a PCB official as saying.
“Realistically speaking CA wants to play part of the series in Pakistan. The security officials would also call on Australian High Commissioner who would be invited to watch the PSL matches. They would also meet Pakistan security experts and government officials to know as what kind of arrangements are there,” added the official.
The fourth edition of the PSL gets underway in the UAE on February with as many as eight matches to take place on Pakistan soil. Pakistan and Australia are scheduled to play five ODI matches in the UAE before the two teams depart to England for the ICC 50-over World Cup.
