Australia will tour Pakistan in March and April, despite England and New Zealand recently pulling out of matches there.

Australia will play Pakistan in three Tests, as many ODIs and a single T20I.

“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,” Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ramiz Raja said in a statement.

The tour will be a huge boost for Pakistan, which was hit hard when New Zealand abandoned its tour over a security alert just as the two teams were due to start their first match in September.

England pulled out a week later and there had been fears Australia would do the same.

“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,” said Cricket Australia chief executive Nick Hockley.

“The safety and welfare of our players and staff remains our No 1 priority and we will continue to work with the PCB and relevant agencies to ensure that appropriate and sufficient arrangements are put in place for the tour.”

Pakistan had gradually returned to the cricket map as hosts of international matches following a six-year hiatus in the wake of attacks on the Sri Lanka team bus in Lahore in 2009.

During their cricketing isolation, Pakistan were forced to play their home matches on neutral venues, including in the UAE.

CA’s delegation will visit Pakistan to meet with PCB officials and Pakistani authorities to discuss and finalise matters relating to team operations, logistics, security and Covid-19 protocols.

The first Test will be played in Karachi, while Rawalpindi will host the second and Lahore the third.

All white-ball matches will be held in Lahore.

© Agence France-Presse