The Australian team will visit Pakistan for the first time after 24 years. This series will include three Tests, three ODIs, and a T20I fixture. Australia’s squad for Pakistan tour has been announced by Cricket Australis.
Fast bowler Josh Hazlewood has rejoined to the side after injury rehabilitation, and Mitchell Swepson and Josh Inglis have also secured a spot. It should also be mentioned that not a single Test player withdrew for security reasons.
Clearly there is some anxiety about touring: Todd Greenberg
Todd Greenberg, the chief executive officer of the Australian Cricket Association, noted that there is some concern about traveling to Pakistan, but that it is reasonable considering that Australia would be touring Pakistan for the first time in nearly a quarter-century.
“Clearly there is some anxiety about touring which I think is perfectly natural given an Australian team hasn’t toured Pakistan for almost 25 years,” said Todd Greenberg.
Todd Greenberg further stated that there may be a handful of players who are still hesitant to travel to Pakistan and finished by saying that backing should be offered to these players who choose not to visit Pakistan.
“We may have one or two players who won’t be comfortable despite all of the advice and guidance that we provide. Along with Cricket Australia, we’ll need to respect those players and give them our full support if they decide not to make this tour,” said Greenberg.
“It’s a very important tour. The players completely understand our contribution to the global game and we don’t have an expectation that we can sit here and expect teams to tour our country and not contribute ourselves,” concluded Greenberg.
The respective teams’ three-match Test series will begin on March 4, 2022, at Rawalpindi. The other two Test matchups will be held at Karachi and Lahore.
Australia’s squad for Pakistan tour:
Australia’s full-strength 18-Man squad for Pakistan tour: Pat Cummins (c), Ashton Agar, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Michael Neser, Steve Smith (vc), Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, David Warner
