LAHORE: Australia will tour Pakistan next year for the first time in 24 years. Cricket Australia’s confirmation has come at a time when Pakistan have had to cope with tour cancellations lately. The tour will be a huge boost for Pakistan cricket, which was hit hard when New Zealand abandoned their tour over a “security alert” just as the two teams were due to kick off their first match in September. England followed suit, citing player well-being and “increasing concerns about travelling to the region”, and there had been fears Australia would do the same. A Cricket Australia delegation is expected to visit Pakistan meet with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials as well as provincial and federal authorities to discuss and finalise matters relating to team operations, logistics, security and Covid-19 protocols. Australia will play three Tests, as many one-day internationals and a single Twenty20 international. Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Ramiz Raja, who played eight Tests and 18 ODIs against Australia, said in a statement on Monday: “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. Australia are one of the high-performing sides and them playing in our backyard for the first time after a gap of 24 years will be a special treat for the fans. Likewise, it will be a great opportunity for the Australia cricketers to not only play at our iconic venues but also feel and enjoy the respect, love and hospitality that this great country offers, something which most of their previous generation of cricketers missed out by playing offshore.”Australia’s first tour of Pakistan since 1998 will take place in March and April 2022.The Tests will take place in Karachi (March 3-7), Rawalpindi (March 12-16) and Lahore (March 21-25), while Lahore will be the venue for the four white-ball matches to be played from March 29 to April 5.The Tests will be played as part of the ICC World Test Championship, while the ODIs will be connected to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League — a 13-team event from which the seven highest-placed sides and the hosts, India, will qualify directly for the event proper in 2023. Cricket Australia Chief Executive Nick Hockley said in a statement: “Cricket Australia is excited about the prospect of touring Pakistan next year for what will be a highly anticipated series in a country so incredibly passionate about the game and their national team.Pakistan is a formidable opposition with an exceptionally talented team, as evidenced by their dynamic performances in the current ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in the UAE.We thank the PCB for their considerable efforts in planning for the tour and look forward to continuing to work closely over the coming months.” Australia last toured Pakistan in 1998-99 when Mark Taylor led them to a 1-0 series victory — their first since Richie Benaud’s side defeated Fazal Mahmood’s team by 2-0 in the 1959-60 series. Between the two series, Pakistan hosted Australia in 1964-65 (drew 0-0), 1979-80 (won 1-0), 1982-83 (won 3-0), 1988-89 (won 1-0) and 1994-95 (won 1-0).Pakistan staged the last four series with Australia offshore —2002-2003 (Colombo and Sharjah, Pakistan lost 3-0), 2010 (drew 1-1 in England), 2014-15 (won 2-0 in the UAE) and 2018-19 (won 1-0 in the UAE). Schedule: March 3-7 – 1st Test, Karachi March 12-16- 2nd Test, Rawalpindi March 21-25 – 3rd Test, Lahore March29 – 1st ODI, Lahore March 31 – 2nd ODI, Lahore April 2 – 3rd ODI, Lahore April 5 – only T20I, Lahore