ISLAMABAD: Australia’s first tour of Pakistan since 1998 is going to start on March 4, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed on Friday.
Australia have not toured Pakistan for 24 years over security concerns. Last year, Cricket Australia visited the South Asian nation to ensure stringent measures will be in place when the team arrives.
The T20 World Cup champions will play three Tests, three one-day internationals (ODIs) and one Twenty-20 International (T20I) in the month-long series.
“The tour will now start and end in Rawalpindi with the opening Test to be played from March 4-8 and the four white-ball matches to be played from March 29 to April 5,” the PCB said, as it released a revised schedule for the tour.

The schedule was revised due to logistical issues and Pakistan Day parade rehearsals, which usually commence in Islamabad in the second week of March.
As per the previous schedule, the first Test match was to be played in Karachi on March 3-7 and then on March 12-16 in Rawalpindi. 
The change in the first Test venue means that the second Test will be played in Karachi on March 12-16 and the third in Lahore on 21-25 March.
PCB chief executive Faisal Hasnain announced that Cricket Australia had formally given the go-ahead to their side’s five-week tour itinerary and confirmed that “their best available players will visit Pakistan for the first time in 24 years.”
“We are really excited to host Pat Cummins and his players, and look forward to a competitive series that will comprise three Tests, three ODIs and a T20I,” he said. 
The two sides have agreed that the Australian cricket team will complete their coronavirus quarantine period in Australia before arriving in Islamabad on Feb. 27. After undergoing room isolation for one day, they will hold training sessions at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
Australia’s white-ball players are expected to arrive in Lahore on March 24.
“After a one-day isolation upon arrival, they will integrate with other members of the side and travel to Islamabad for the first ODI in Rawalpindi on March 29,” the PCB said. 
The Tests will be part of the ICC World Test Championship, while the ODIs are linked to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League from which the top eight sides, including hosts India, will qualify directly for the 2023 50-over World Cup.

Revised schedule:

Feb. 27 — arrival in Islamabad
March 4-8 — 1st Test, Rawalpindi
March 12-16 — 2nd Test, Karachi
March 21-25 — 3rd Test, Lahore
March 29 — 1st ODI, Rawalpindi
March 31 — 2nd ODI, Rawalpindi
April 2 — 3rd ODI, Rawalpindi
April 5 — one-off T20I, Rawalpindi
April 6 — departure