Lahore (Web Desk): Cricket Australia (CA) confirmed on Monday that the Pakistan Cricket team will play a four-day red ball fixture against the Prime Minister’s XI at Manuka Oval in Canberra from December 6 to 9, 2023.
The four-day red ball fixture will be played in the week leading up to the first Test in Perth.
This encounter will serve as a preparatory step for Pakistan before their upcoming three-match Test series against Australia.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will meet with CA Chair of Selectors, George Bailey and selector Tony Dodemaide to discuss selection of the squad.
This will be the third occasion that Pakistan faces the Prime Minister’s XI, with previous meetings taking place in 1990 and 2005.
It will be played in the week leading up to the first Test between Pakistan and Australia at the Perth Stadium on December 14 and it will mark the first instance of the Men in Green playing a Test at the venue. The two teams will face off in the Boxing Day Test at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground from December 26 till December 30 and the third and final match will be played at the Sydney Cricket Ground from 3 January, 2024.
Expressing his anticipation for the encounter, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese lauded Pakistan as a cricketing powerhouse and expressed his excitement about the clash between the PM's XI and the talented Pakistani squad in Canberra.
Pakistan will make a trip next month to take on Australia for the Benaud-Qadir Trophy.
The Benaud-Qadir Trophy was launched in 2022 when Australia arrived in Pakistan after 16 years for a three-Test series. Pat Cummin’s side bagged the first iteration as they bagged the series 1-0 after defeating Pakistan in Lahore in the third and final Test.
Schedule
Four-day match: PM’s XI vs Pakistan – December 6-9: Manuka Oval, Canberra
1st Test – Australia vs Pakistan – December 14-18: Perth Stadium
2nd Test – Australia vs Pakistan – December 26-30: Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)
3rd Test – Australia vs Pakistan – January 3-7: Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG)