Australia news: Pakistan series to be played with capacity crowd

The upcoming Test and limited-overs series between Pakistan and Australia will be played in front of capacity crowds, it was confirmed on Tuesday.

This after the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC) sent a letter of approval to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and relevant authorities confirming that fans will be allowed to watch the historic series, with the stadiums at 100% capacity.

The decision was made amid the reduction of Covid-19 cases in the country, and thr successful hosting of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) at Gaddafi Stadium Lahore, where 100% capacity crowds were allowed as well.

However, strict Covid-19 protocols will remain in place.

Australia are touring Pakistan for the first time since 1998, and the first Test will start at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on March 4.

The second Test will be played in Lahore and the third Test in Karachi, after which the touring party will return to Rawalpindi, where three ODIs and a single T20I will be played.

Capacity crowd, weather permitting

Meanwhile, the first Test is likely to be rain-interrupted, according to the latest weather forecasts.

Incidentally, Pakistan made their return to hosting Test cricket against Sri Lanka at the same venue in 2019, and three days were completely rained out.

This time around, the forecast for the first two days are clear, but moderate showers are expected on each of the final three days.

Schedule:
4-8 March – 1st Test, Rawalpindi
12-16 March – 2nd Test, Karachi
21-25 March – 3rd Test, Lahore
29 March – 1st ODI, Rawalpindi
31 March – 2nd ODI, Rawalpindi
2 April – 3rd ODI, Rawalpindi
5 April – one-off T20I, Rawalpindi