The first international Twenty20 match in Pakistan will be played early
next year when the hosts take on Australia during their tour in March-April.
Cricket Australia has confirmed the itinerary for the tour which includes three
Tests, five one-day internationals and the Twenty20 match, besides a three-day
practice game.
However, the Australians have conveyed that they would confirm
venues for the tour by January, sources in the Pakistan Cricket Board said.
"Their delegation was recently in Pakistan and held talks
with the PCB officials. They made it clear that since there was still plenty
of time left for the tour to take place, they would be monitoring the security
situation in Pakistan," a source said.
"They said that they would be treating the tours by their 'A' and Under-19
teams as test cases for the main tour and would confirm venues then," he
said.
The Australians would be touring Pakistan for the first time
since 1998 as they declined to play in Pakistan in 2002 on security grounds
and the Tests were played in Colombo and Sharjah and the one-day tournament
in Nairobi.
PCB is unlikely to keep Peshawar or Rawalpindi in the list
of venues for the Australian tour.
"While there is a security issue with playing in Peshawar,
the Pindi stadium is undergoing renovation and would only be completed in time
for the ICC Champions Trophy to be held in September-October next year,"
the source said.
The Australian 'A' team's tour went off smoothly while their
Under-19 side is currently playing in Pakistan.
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