‘I Wish…’ PCB Chief Wants Australia To Travel Pakistan For Multi-Format Series

Vaibhav Tripathi

image-lsudtkwgBabar Azam batting in Pakistan vs Australia (X.com)

Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Mohsin Naqvi, is eager for the Australian cricket team to embark on a tour to Pakistan for a home series. This invitation was sent by the PCB topman during his meeting with Neil Hawkins, the Australian High Commissioner to Pakistan, at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium.

Hawkins had been invited by Naqvi to witness a Pakistan Super League (PSL) match between Lahore Qalandars and Quetta Gladiators.

During their conversation, Hawkins extended his congratulations to PCB Chairman Naqvi for the successful staging of the PSL, underscoring the electric atmosphere of Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, which further enhances the spectators' experience.

“The environment of Gaddafi Stadium adds more excitement for the [spectators],” said Neil Hawkins.

In response, Naqvi expressed gratitude to Hawkins for attending the match upon his invitation and highlighted the mutual passion for cricket shared by both Pakistan and Australia. He underscored the significance of cricket as a unifying force, stating his wish for the Australian team to partake in a series held in Pakistan.

“Cricket is a game of peace. I wish for the Australian team to play a series in Pakistan,” Mohsin Naqvi said.

The last visit by the Australian team to Pakistan occurred in March-April 2022, marking their first tour since 1998. This tour encompassed Tests, ODIs, and a T20I, with the Tests contributing to the World Test Championship and the ODIs to the Cricket World Cup Super League. 

Australia emerged victorious in the Test series and the lone T20I, while Pakistan clinched the ODI series. Additionally, this series marked the inception of the Benaud-Qadir Trophy, commemorating the cricketing legacy of both nations.

In a reciprocal gesture, Pakistan recently embarked on a tour to Australia for a three-match Test series, which concluded with Australia securing a 3-0 victory. Despite the outcome, Naqvi's aspiration for a bilateral series on Pakistani soil reflects the enduring enthusiasm for cricket within the nation and its desire to host top-tier teams like Australia for bilateral series.