MELBOURNE: Australia’s white-ball captain – Aaron Finch has confirmed his availability for Australia’s historical tour to Pakistan after a gap of 24 years, said he can not wait to tour the country.
Finch is excited to play in Pakistan after Cricket Australia (CA) confirmed the tour’s schedule yesterday.
Talking to Sportstar here, Finch stated he can not wait to play in Pakistan and also claimed that world cricket will be much better when Pakistan cricket prosper.
“I can’t wait to go to Pakistan for the white-ball leg, as a player,” he said.
“That’s one part of the world that has been deprived of [international] cricket for a long time now, and world cricket’s in a much better place when Pakistan’s thriving as a cricket nation,” he added.
It is worth mentioning here that CA and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced the revised schedule of the historical tour. The Aussies will now start their campaign in Rawalpindi instead of Karachi by playing the first Test of three-match series from March 4 to March 8.
The second Test, however, will be played in Karachi from March 12 to March 16.
Revised schedule:
1st Test: 4-8 March, Rawalpindi
2nd Test: 12-16 March, Karachi
3rd Test: 21-25 March, Lahore
1st ODI: March 29, Rawalpindi
2nd ODI: March 31, Rawalpindi
3rd ODI: April 2, Rawalpindi
One-off T20I: April 5, Rawalpindi
READ: Australia will start their tour from Rawalpindi instead of Karachi: confirms PCB
KARACHI: Former Australian cricketer and Pakistan coach – Geoff Lawson has thrown his weight behind Australia’s tour to Pakistan and said Australia should tour Pakistan to prove that it is a part of a cricketing family.
Lawson, who coached Pakistan men’s cricket from 2007 to 2008 advised his home side to tour Pakistan.
“I think Australia should tour Pakistan later in March. The side has not toured the country since the last 24 years, which in my opinion is not good,” he said.
“In my view, Australia should tour Pakistan to prove itself an integral part of the cricketing family,” he added.
Lawson also acknowledged the passion of Pakistan’s cricket fans and termed Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium as one of the best in the world.
“The passion of the people of Pakistan for cricket is indescribable. Also, I must say that Gaddafi stadium is one of the best stadiums in the world,” he concluded.
It is worth mentioning that Australia’s historic tour to Pakistan after a gap of 24 years is set to embark on March 3. The tour is comprised of three Test matches that will be contested in Karachi, Rawalpindi, and Lahore, followed by a three-match ODI series from March 29 to April 2. On April 5, a single T20I will be played to conclude the tour.
Furthermore, several Australian cricketers including George Bailey, Usman Khawaja, and Pat Cummins have also lamented their support towards the historic tour.
READ: ‘Australia to tour Pakistan with full-strength squad’ George Bailey
SYDNEY: Pakistan-born Australian batter, Usman Khawaja urged Australia to tour Pakistan, while talking to media on Sunday.
Khawaja emphasised the importance of Australia’s tour to Pakistan’s young cricket fans, who had never seen prominent international players play on their home turf, said the tour will ‘inspire generations’.
“I have always had great support in the subcontinent, Bangladesh, India, and particularly Pakistan where I was born. They were amazing even when I was there for the PSL (Pakistan Super League). I would like to go back there and play,” he said.
“I said to the guys, you can actually inspire a generation of cricketers who have never seen you play, never seen David Warner, Steve Smith, they see them on TV. You can actually inspire a generation by just going back over there,” he added.
Khawaja also has thrown his weight for the tour; requested Australia to give it back to the game.
“I think it is a great opportunity for Australian cricket to give a little back. I do not think that there is any better way to give it back to the game by touring countries like Pakistan, who have been deprived of cricket for so long,” he concluded.
In the recently concluded fourth Ashes Test, Khawaja scored two magnificent centuries in both innings; adjudged as the player of the match.
READ: England stick on for a thrilling final-over draw