ISLAMABAD: Cricket Australia (CA) has confirmed plans to send its team to Pakistan early next year to play a white-ball series, marking a significant step in the resumption of international cricket tours to Pakistan.
CA chief executive Todd Greenburg revealed in an online media interaction that discussions with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) are underway to finalize the schedule for the tour.
According to the International Cricket Council’s Future Tours Programme (FTP) for 2025-27, Australia is set to tour Pakistan in February and March 2026 to play three One Day Internationals (ODIs) and three Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is).
Greenburg expressed optimism about the tour, stating that it would be beneficial for both cricket boards and strengthen the cricketing ties between the two countries.
Renewed Cricketing Relations
Greenburg highlighted Australia’s positive experience during its 2022 tour of Pakistan after a 24-year hiatus. “We went to Pakistan in 2022 after a long time, and it was a good experience for our team, hospitality and security-wise,” he said.
This renewed confidence has encouraged Cricket Australia to pursue more frequent exchanges, including both red-ball and white-ball series, whenever the scheduling window allows.
The return of high-profile cricket tours to Pakistan is widely seen as a boost for the country’s cricket infrastructure and international standing.
It also reflects improving security conditions that have made players and officials more comfortable traveling to the region.
Big Bash League and Pakistani Players
Greenburg also touched on the potential impact of Pakistan’s players in Australia’s popular domestic tournament, the Big Bash League (BBL). He noted that having top Pakistani players available for the BBL this year would enhance the competition’s quality, as teams always look for leading overseas talent.
This exchange of players is expected to deepen the cricketing collaboration between the two countries.
The 2022 tour had included Test and white-ball matches and was considered a milestone in reestablishing Pakistan as a safe venue for international cricket after years of isolation.
