'Disappointed' PCB to host Pak-Aus ODI series in UAE next month

Abdul Ghaffar Published February 10, 2019

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Sunday announced the schedule for five-match one day international (ODI) series against Australia taking place in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in March. — AFP/File

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Sunday announced the schedule for a five-match One-Day International (ODI) series against Australia set to take place in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) next month, after the Aussies refused to tour Pakistan over safety concerns.

In January, the PCB was informed that Australia would not be coming to Pakistan for the ODI series after the Pakistan side had attempted to renew talks with Cricket Australia (CA) to convince them to play at least two of the matches in Pakistan.

"The PCB was optimistic that it would be able to convince Cricket Australia to send its side for some matches after successfully staging high-profile bilateral international series and the HBL Pakistan Super League matches in the past 18 months. 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," a press release quoted PCB Director International Zakir Khan as saying.

"However, the CA has confirmed that they will send their security expert to oversee the execution of security plans for the HBL PSL 2019 matches and bilateral series against other international sides in Pakistan, and will also speak with the ICC-recommended PCB security consultant. In the meantime, the CA have confirmed they will maintain regular contact with the ICC," he added.

According to the press release, the series is part of preparations by both sides for the 2019 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup, where Australia will defend the title. The two sides are set to face each other at the World Cup on June 12 in Taunton.

"Australia are the world champions and this series will provide the Pakistan cricket team [with] an opportunity to assess their World Cup preparations," said Khan in the statement.

The series opener will be played in Sharjah on March 22, while the final is scheduled for March 31 in Dubai.

Schedule:

March 22: 1st ODI, Sharjah (d/n)
March 24: 2nd ODI, Sharjah (d/n)
March 27: 3rd ODI, Abu Dhabi (d/n)
March 29: 4th ODI, Dubai (d/n)
March 31: 5th ODI, Dubai (d/n)

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Aaron

Feb 10, 2019 05:08pm

it will be good contest to watch as both teams will be preparing for World Cup!

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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad

Feb 10, 2019 05:14pm

Welcome to an exciting five match ODI series between the current and former Cricket World Cup champions; Australia and greenshirts, to be played at three different venues of the brotherly country UAE, I.e. Sharjah, Abu Dhabi and Dubai. As always, keep it up and hang on tough.

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Barely

Feb 10, 2019 05:21pm

Australia will Tour Pakistan in 2028 for few ODIs

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Immu bhai

Feb 10, 2019 05:43pm

Situation was much better from 2002-03 to 2008....india visited twice., still Australia didn't visit....now they will find every reason not to visit. I don't understand why PCB hypes up matters before any decision on home tour....keep low profile, work hard and get things done.

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Pak-UK

Feb 10, 2019 05:58pm

Time to bring Umar Akmal back in limited overs side. Replacements are awful.. 1- Imam 2- Fakhar 3- Babar 4- Umar Akmal 5- Malik 6- Sarfaraz 7- Shadab 8- Imad 9- Hassan 10- Aamir/Junaid 11- Shaheen 12- Fahim 13- farhan 14- Hussain

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TOMATO

Feb 10, 2019 08:22pm

Always playing Australia at home? Hard to win if you visit them?

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R. S. Menon

Feb 10, 2019 09:53pm

@ Pak UK The proposed Pak team seems to be fine. I have some reservation s for Sharab Khan's effectiveness in England pitches. At 14, did you mean Hussain Talat? R.S. Menon, Bangalore

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ajay

Feb 10, 2019 09:58pm

isn't it naya Pakistan? or its the same

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hello

Feb 10, 2019 10:08pm

atleast they can play then in Australia. Its been a while since they toured them.

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Aleena Tariq

Feb 10, 2019 10:48pm

Pakistan Team is undoubtedly the best team of the world if talked in terms of unpredictable teams. This team has got potential, energy, charisma and everything. The team got everything.Fast bowlers, Spinners, medium pace, hard hitters. I am prayful for my team. Best of luck.

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Shakil - Kansas, USA

Feb 10, 2019 11:15pm

PCB should have present strong argument to play 2 out of 5 in Pakistan otherwise International cricket never come to Pakistan. And also do NOT close all major roads just to display great security. Be normal in any way possible.

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Nazar

Feb 10, 2019 11:20pm

I think PCB should stop trying and accept the fact that nobody will be visiting Pakistan anytime soon. It's not about PCB; it's about the perception of the country Pakistan itself. That perception will not change by scheduling random PSL games in Pakistan or by paying huge sums of money to individual players to spend some scary hours in Lahore. Use that money to make some real changes in the security situation.

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Bin Maalik

Feb 11, 2019 12:20am

PCB should first relocate and rebuild the two big stadiums of Karachi and Lahore in safer and securer zones, possibly near the airports, or in the middle of broader protected lands. Not like the current ones which are at the middle of densely populated neighborhoods because no land planning was done.

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Dude

Feb 11, 2019 12:48am

The best response should come from the Pakistan team on the field.

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Hani_Layyah

Feb 11, 2019 01:02am

Even Australian High Commissioner's positive report on security didn't pave it's way. . Strange

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Burhan - Indian Muslim

Feb 11, 2019 01:27am

@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad, will it be empty grounds again Doctor?

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Being human

Feb 11, 2019 04:01am

Nothing in the world seems to change the attitude of our people...when our neighbors complain of problems we shout back at them..but see here no country is willing to even visit us...unless we see the issue and demand change our authorities will not change it..

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Shehryar

Feb 11, 2019 05:08am

"Australia are the world champions and this series will provide the Pakistan cricket team [with] an opportunity to assess their World Cup preparations," said Khan in the statement." assess WC preparations ??? on a Dubai/Sharjah pitch ?? seriously kidding me ??!!

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The lost soul 80

Feb 11, 2019 06:56am

This happens when PM IK is in Dubai calling for investments when even nations fear touring Pakistan for a month or two. Wonder how IK would feel about it as a past cricketing great.

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The lost soul 80

Feb 11, 2019 06:57am

@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad, As usual you seem to make compromises and think all is well ! It’s not , the nation of Pakistan which loves cricket surely deserves more.

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Judge

Feb 11, 2019 07:57am

PCB which does not play even PSL matches in Pakistan asking foreign teams to visit is not even humorous.

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Common Sense

Feb 11, 2019 08:51am

Why Aussie cricket team not playing in Pakistan?

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Cricketer

Feb 11, 2019 09:36am

@ajay, it's old same poor one with new tagline.

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Wahab

Feb 11, 2019 09:37am

I’m sure Australia will whitewash their opponents in uae

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Qamar

Feb 11, 2019 09:43am

Until and unless PCB assure other team that, they can arrange matches in all there centers Karachi, Faisalabad and Lahore. No team visit to Pakistan.

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Gaurav

Feb 11, 2019 10:38am

Now sue Australian Cricket board and see if you get some free dollars.

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Ali Vaqar Awan

Feb 11, 2019 12:28pm

Playing in UAE is not same as playing in Pakistan. Crowd is totally less in UAE as its in Pakistan. Pakistan should stop playing in neutral venues which are still home away from home.

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Gaur

Feb 11, 2019 01:19pm

Good and sensible decision by Australian cricket board.

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Anuj

Feb 11, 2019 01:27pm

@Aleena Tariq, best team just lost Test, ODI and T20 series in South Africa.

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Bakbak

Feb 11, 2019 02:48pm

The whole world knew it, only pakistanis thought they are coming....like the 7th fleet

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Divakar

Feb 11, 2019 03:30pm

@Nazar, : At least you are aware of the reality.Rest all are trying to treat the symptoms rather than the disease itself.

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Divakar

Feb 11, 2019 03:32pm

@Hani_Layyah, :"Even Australian High Commissioner's positive report on security didn't pave it's way. . Strange" There is nothing strange because neither the High Commissioner nor his sons are part of the Aussie cricket team.

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Mann

Feb 12, 2019 12:07am

Why doesn’t PCB sue Cricket Austalia. After all CA gave their word.

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Simon Abraham

Feb 12, 2019 04:54pm

@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad, but you mentioned while india traveled to Australia that this same Australian team is the weakest Australian team ever right..we have not forgot that will remember to remind you your own words if u ever get a chance to calibrate a win from Pakistan.

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