While talk of a possible night Test looms between the two nations in Australia, Australia will be making an effort to bridge the gap that has not seen Australia play a series in Pakistan since 1998.
This does not mean Australia will be traveling to Pakistan any time soon. But that they are keen to keep their word and play against Pakistan is an indicator that teams are wanting to find a middle ground, rather than leave matters in a deadlock.
Australia had cancelled their tour last year about the same time in the wake of violence in Pakistan and have not been able to set a return date thereafter. The cancellation of the Champions Trophy also did not help Pakistan’s cause.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had earlier conceded they were looking at alternative venues such as England, Malaysia and even Sharjah amongst others should Australia refuse to play Pakistan in Pakistan but willing to play elsewhere.
Now the tour will be a tour part – the first leg of which will involve the one day internationals and a Twenty20 match. These will be played divided between Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
The first two ODI’s will be played in Dubai on the 22nd and 24th of April. The next three one day internationals will be staged in Abu Dhabi on the 27th of April and the 1st and 3rd of May. Australia and Pakistan return to Dubai for the one off Twenty20 international on the 7th of May.
This though will not be the first time that these teams have played at neutral venues, with the duo played a three Test series in Sri Lanka in 2002, still leaving Australia a visit to Pakistan, that does not look likely anytime soon. Is it any wonder then that Ricky Ponting reiterated a while ago that he would like to play Pakistan in Pakistan before he retires! No thaw yet as far as security concerns are concerned!
