Australia confirm first Pakistan tour in 24 years

Tour to be huge boost for Pakistan

SYDNEY:

Cricket Australia on Friday confirmed its first tour of Pakistan since 1998, locking in a three-Test series despite lingering security concerns.

Australia will play Tests -- in Rawalpindi, Karachi and Lahore -- fresh off the back of a comprehensive home Ashes victory against England.

They will also play three one day internationals and a T20 capping the month-long tour on April 5.

"The tour will proceed for the first time in 24 years. This is a historic occasion and important for the global growth and health of the game," said Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley.

The tour will be a huge boost for Pakistan, which was hit hard when New Zealand and England abandoned recent tours over security concerns

Cricket-mad Pakistan has struggled to entice foreign sides back after home internationals were suspended after a deadly terror attack on the Sri Lanka Test side in 2009.

Pakistan was forced to play their home international matches abroad -- mostly in the United Arab Emirates -- until 2015 when normal service tentatively resumed.

"We are looking forward to an exciting series between two world-class teams," said Hockley.

The fixtures are 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.