Pakistan announce dates for Australia ODI series
Sharjah, Abu Dhabi and Dubai will host the matches, played between 22 March and 31 March, as both teams will look to prime their sides before the imminent 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup in England, starting May 30.
Pakistan sit at fifth in the MRF Tyres ODI rankings, while their opponents are marginally behind in sixth, and the last time these two teams engaged in battle in this format was on Australian soil in 2017, with the Aussies romping home with a 4-1 victory.
'The spots are still up for grabs' – Australia coach Justin Langer says the doors are 'still' open for aspirants to make it to the #CWC19 squad.
— ICC (@ICC) February 7, 2019
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Pakistan's Cricket Director, Zakir Khan, spoke of the usefulness of the upcoming series.
"Australia are the world champions and this series will provide the Pakistan cricket team an opportunity to assess their Word Cup preparations," he said.
Australia take on India in a five-match ODI series prior to their scheduled bouts with Pakistan, while Sarfraz Ahmed's side have an empty calendar until the games in the UAE.
ODI schedule:
1st ODI- 22 March, Sharjah
2nd ODI- 24 March, Sharjah
3rd ODI- 27 March, Abu Dhabi
4th ODI- 29 March, Dubai
5th ODI- 31 March, Dubai