Lahore, 29 March 2022 (TDI): Pakistan and Australia will play their first One-Day International (ODI) at Lahore’s Qaddafi Stadium, with strict security measures in place to prevent any untoward incidents.
New faces ✅
New format ✅
New challenge ✅
The TikTok presents KFC Pakistan vs Australia ODI series 2022 begins today! #BoysReadyHain l #PAKvAUS pic.twitter.com/AlGotxJsGC— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) March 29, 2022
Lahore police have deployed almost 8,000 officers—men and women—at key locations to preserve law and order, including 204 Dolphin squads, Peru 107, and 45 Elite Force units.
The road and critical locations in Lahore are being monitored by CCTV cameras. Authorities resumed their search and sweep operation while also deploying vigilance squads to conduct security checks.
In a virtual press conference, Australian Captain, Aaron Finch noted that Pakistan’s team is made up of world-class players, including Captain Babar Azam, a brilliant batter.
Shaheen Afridi, according to Finch, is a world-class bowler who swings the new ball. “Haris Rauf is also a member of the side that I faced during the Big Bash, and Hasan Ali is also a member.”
Left-handed batter Matthew Renshaw has joined Australia’s white-ball squad and will be available for the final two ODIs and one-off T20 against Pakistan at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on March 29.
While allrounder Mitchell Marsh has been ruled out of the first ODI between Pakistan and Australia at Lahore on March 29 due to injury. The Pakistani team, led by star batter Babar Azam, put in two days of intense practice for the national team.
Pakistan is now six hours behind Australia’s eastern shore, but all ODIs are planned as day-night games, making live watching a late-night prospect for those further east. The 3 PM local time in Sydney and Melbourne means 9 PM or 8.30 PM in Adelaide and 6 PM in Perth.
According to Cricket Australia, Australia will be fielding an inexperienced line-up in these matches. After playing in the Test series, Pat Cummins, Mitch Starc, and Josh Hazlewood have all been rested for the white-ball leg of the tour.
Jhye Richardson was not considered for the entire tour due to a long-term injury, and Kane Richardson has not been risked for such a whirlwind tour after pinching his hamstring at training in Melbourne last week.
