UAE to host Pakistan-Australia ODI series
PCB disappointed at Cricket Australia’s refusal to play two ODIs in Pakistan
Within a few weeks after the conclusion of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) in the UAE, the fans here will be able to watch an evenly contested one-day series between Pakistan and Australia.
The five-match series will commence on March 22 in Sharjah and conclude on March 31 at the Dubai International Stadium.
Pakistan is ranked fifth on the ICC ODI team rankings while Australia is in the sixth place with just two points behind and the series is being billed as a tune-up to the ICC World Cup later this year.
Sarfraz Ahmad has already been confirmed as the captain of the Pakistan team for the World Cup and efforts are on to find the right players for the different slots.
Announcing the one-day series schedule with Australia, PCB Director Cricket — International, Zakir Khan said: “Australia are the world champions and this series will provide the Pakistan cricket team an opportunity to assess their Word Cup preparations.”
All the matches will be daynight affairs with Dubai and Sharjah hosting two matches each and Abu Dhabi hosting the remaining one. Incidentally, Pakistan cricket authorities admitted to scheduling all five ODIs in the UAE after the Aussies refused to visit the Asian country over security fears. “The PCB was optimistic that it will be able to convince Cricket Australia to send its side for some matches. But, we are disappointed for the passionate fans in Pakistan who will now have to wait for some more time before they can see the Australia team live in action.”