LAHORE, Sept 22: Karachi will host the first Test of the home series against India to be held from Jan 4 to Feb 20.

According to the official itinerary approved by the cricket boards of both the countries, the Indians will arrive in Karachi on Jan 4 to play three Tests, five One-day Internationals and a Twenty20 on the 47-day tour.

The tour starts with a three-day side match at the Niaz Stadium, Hyderabad, on Jan 6.

The two-arch rivals will be engaged in the three Test series, soon after Ashura, with the opener at the National Stadium, Karachi, from Jan 13 to 17.

Later, both the teams will fly to Rawalpindi to play the second Test from Jan 21 to 25 and the third at the Gaddafi Stadium from Jan 29 to Feb 2.

The ODI series will start from Feb 6 at the Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad.

Gaddafi Stadium will host the second ODI on Feb 8, while Rawalpindi the third on Feb 11.

After playing the fourth ODI at the Multan Stadium on Feb 14, the two teams will reach Karachi to play for the fifth match on Feb 17 and the lone Twenty20 on Feb 19.

The visitors will return to their country on Feb 20.

Schedule:

Jan 4: Arrival at Karachi.

Jan 6-8: Three-day side match (Niaz Stadium, Hyderabad).

Jan 13-17: First Test (National Stadium, Karachi).

Jan 21-25: Second Test (Rawalpindi Stadium).

Jan 29-Feb 2: Third Test (Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore).

Feb 6: First ODI (Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad).

Feb 8: Second ODI (Lahore).

Feb 11: Third ODI (Rawalpindi)

Feb 14: Fourth ODI (Multan Stadium).

Feb 17: Fifth ODI (Karachi).

Feb 19: Twenty20 (Karachi).