KARACHI – Pakistan cricket authorities were forced to schedule all fiveone-day internationals against Australia in the United Arab Emirates afterthe Aussies refused to visit the Asian country over security fears.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had invited Australia to play two of the fiveone-day internationals in Pakistan to further their attempts to reviveinternational cricket at home, suspended since attacks on the Sri Lankanteam bus in 2009.
Since then Pakistan have hosted finals of Pakistan Super League for thelast two years and played matches against a World XI, Sri Lanka and theWest Indies.
A West Indies women’s team played three Twenty20 internationals in Karachifrom January 31-February 3 this year.
But Cricket Australia (CA) acted on their government’s advise not to tourPakistan where no Australian senior team has played since 1998 oversecurity fears.
PCB director Zakir Khan showed disappointment over Australia’s refusal totour.
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“The PCB was optimistic that it will be able to convince Australia to sendits side for some matches after successfully staging high-profile bilateralinternational series,” said Khan.
“But we are disappointed for the enthusiastic and passionate cricket fansin Pakistan who will now have to wait for some more time before they cansee Australia playing in our country.”
The five-match series will kick off both team’s preparation for the WorldCup to be held in England from May 30-July 14.
Sharjah will host the first two matches on March 22 and 24 followed bymatches in Abu Dhabi (March 27) and Dubai (March 29 and 31). – APP/AFP
