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BSP-26
CRICKET-PAK-AUS-NZL-ITINERARY
Pakistan announce schedule for Australia, NZ series
KARACHI, Aug 28, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Pakistan Tuesday announced the itinerary for their series against Australia and New Zealand to be played in the United Arab Emirates over the next three months.
Pakistan start the season with next month’s Asia Cup in the UAE from September 15. They will then host Australia for two Tests and three Twenty20 internationals in the emirates from October 7-28.
This will be Australia’s first Test series since the infamous ball-tampering row during the Cape Town match against South Africa in March.
That scandal ended in a one-year ban from international cricket for the then-captain Steve Smith and vice-captain David Warner. Opener Cameron Bancroft received a nine-month ban.
Following the Australia series, Pakistan will host New Zealand in the UAE for three Twenty20 internationals, three one-day internationals and three Tests between October 31-December 7.
Pakistan have been forced to play their “home” matches in the UAE since terrorists attacked the bus of the visiting Sri Lankan team in March 2009.
Although Pakistan have hosted a few international matches between 2015-18, Australia and New Zealand refused to visit the country due to security fears.
Itinerary: (Pakistan vs Australia):
September 29-October 2: Australia vs Pakistan ‘A’ in Dubai
October 7-11 Fiestt Test in Dubai
October 16-20 Second Test in Abu Dhabi
October 24 Ist Twenty20 international in Abu Dhabi
October 26 Second Twenty20 international in Dubai
October 28 Third Twenty20 international in Dubai
Pakistan vs New Zealand:
October 31 Ist Twenty20 international in Abu Dhabi
November 2 Second Twenty20 international in Dubai
November 4 Third Twenty20 international in Dubai
November 7 Ist One-day international in Abu Dhabi
November 9 Second One-day international in Dubai
November 11 Third One-day international in Dubai
November 16-20 First Test in Abu Dhabi
November 24-28 Second Test in Dubai
December 3-7 Third Test in Abu Dhabi
BSS/AFP/MMA/2342HRS