The Australian Cricket Board is assessing a situation where a small group of players could pull out of the Pakistan tour due to safety concerns, despite the reassurance about the security situation in the country.
Australian cricket team last visited Pakistan in the year 1998, after 24 years the Aussies will step foot on the Asian soil to play a three-match Test series in Rawalpindi which will begin on 4th March. It Will be followed by a three-match ODI series and one T20I.
Some players are still not sure about visiting Pakistan due to safety concerns. Despite the tour being given the all-clear status by Cricket Australia. Some players might not tour with the team to Pakistan says ACA chief executive Todd Greenberg. The anxiety among the players is natural and can be understood as the team has not visited Pakistan for almost 24 years. (Source- SEN)
The war in Afghanistan in 2001 was followed by the 9/11 attack in the United States and the gunfire attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team bus, which indicated Australia considered visiting Pakistan for a tour too risky.
Pakistan Cricket Board had to host Australia in the United Arab Emirates couple of times over the past few years due to these concerns. The PCB has taken enormous effort on the security front for keeping players safe with the COVID-19 protocols in place and ensuring a safe bio bubble for players and coaching staff for the upcoming series against Australia.
The Australian squad is expected to be announced on Tuesday who will be touring Pakistan.
