||Desk Report||

The five-match ODI series between Pakistan and Australia will kick off in Sharjah on March 22, confirmed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Sunday. Cricket Australia said Smith, Warner could take part in the matches as their bans will be expired on March 29. 

According to the PCB, the first two ODIs will be held in Sharjah while the third game will be played in Abu Dhabi. The last two matches of the series scheduled to be held in Dubai.

Both Pakistan (fifth) and Australia (sixth) are separated by just one slot in the ICC ODI rankings and the series promises to be a dress rehearsal before the World Cup.

Earlier, PCB had invited Australia for playing two of the five ODIS in Pakistan, but Cricket Australia (CA) refused to tour there. However, no Australian senior team has played since 1998 due to security concerns.

PCB director Zakir Khan expressed disappointment over Australia’s refusal and stated, “Australia are the world champions and this series will provide the Pakistan cricket team an opportunity to assess their Word Cup preparations… But, we are disappointed for the enthusiastic and passionate cricket fans in Pakistan who will now have to wait for some more time before they can see the Australia cricket team live in action for the first time since 1998.”

On the other hand, Cricket Australia has confirmed that Steve Smith and David Warner could take part in the upcoming ODI series against Pakistan.

Smith and Warner will be eligible for national selection again on March 29 following the end of their 12-month bans for their roles in the Cape Town ball-tampering scandal.

That same day, Australia will meet Pakistan in Dubai in the fourth ODI of a five-match series. But it remains unclear if either of the pair will be fit to participate the matches as each recover from separate elbow surgeries.

 

Australia vs Pakistan: ODIs

1st ODI – March 22 in Sharjah