April 22, 2008	Tuesday	Rabi-us-Sani 15, 1429

LAHORE, April 21: Cricket Australia (CA) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have announced that Australia will tour Pakistan in two phases - in 2009 and 2010 - in place of its postponed tour in 2008.

“Cricket Australia (CA) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have today announced that Australia will tour Pakistan in April/May 2009 to play only five One-day Internationals and one Twenty20 game and again in August-September in 2010 for three Test matches,” a joint press release of the two cricket boards said on Monday.

The Australian were to tour Pakistan in March-April this year but postponed it due to security issues. “As well as agreement for the Australian team’s tour to Pakistan, the PCB has also confirmed its Future Tours Program (FTP) tour to Australia in 2009-10 for three Tests, five ODIs and a Twenty20 tie,” the press release added.

“The 2009 tour of Pakistan consists of five One-day Internationals and a Twenty20 international following the Australian team’s commitments in South Africa. Australia will then return to Pakistan in August/September 2010 to play three Test matches with final dates and venues to be agreed depending on each nation’s FTP obligations,” the press release states.

Meanwhile, PCB chairman Dr Nasim Ashraf, while commenting on the CA’s decision, said: “Although disappointed that the tour couldn’t be completed as originally scheduled, the PCB is very pleased that the Australian team will come to play in Pakistan twice - in 2009 and again in 2010.”

However, there are reports that the PCB was willing to have the first phase of the tour some time this year but Australia failed to find any spare time for the same. Furthermore, the CA needs appropriate time to judge the security situation in Pakistan by next year.

“Our discussions with Cricket Australia showed both the countries’ strong desire to ensure the postponed matches were played in Pakistan. As well as the two tours at home, the PCB has also confirmed the Pakistan team’s tour of Australia for the 2009-10 season.”

Cricket Australia chairman Craig O’Connor said on Monday: “Today’s announcement demonstrates Cricket Australia’s commitment to fulfilling its obligations under the FTP and also to Pakistan cricket.”

“We are pleased to have reached an agreement to travel to Pakistan to complete the postponed matches and to play in them in Australia as agreed under the FTP.”