Australia set to tour Pakistan for first time in 24 years

Australia will tour Pakistan next year for the first time since 1998 with the visitors playing three Tests, three one-day internationals and a Twenty20 match from March to April, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said on Monday.

The announcement is a huge boost for Pakistan cricket after New Zealand and England cancelled tours in September citing security concerns.

"I am delighted to welcome Australia to Pakistan. From a personal point of view, it pleases me no end that we'll be engaged in a three-test match series, connoisseurs delight," PCB Chairman Ramiz Raja said in a statement.

 The Tests would be part of the World Test Championship while the ODIs would be linked to the inaugural ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Super League.

Australia will play tests in Karachi (March 3-7), Rawalpindi (March 12-16) and Lahore (March 21-25) followed by the limited over matches in Lahore between March 29-April 5.