The ICC Test Championship, the first of its kind, is well and truly underway with India reigning supreme at the Points Table, as of now. They have recently completed a convincing battering of the visiting Bangladesh team and now comfortably sit atop with a gargantuan lead. India have played the most number of matches in the championship, so far, and they have emerged victorious in all six of them.
Pakistan, on the contrary, are yet to commence their Test Championship journey as they look to punch above their weight and take on a daunting Australian side Down Under. Pakistan are currently ranked 7th in the ICC Test Rankings and will be itching to leave their mark on the competition with some fine performances after a string of agonizing losses in the format.
The tough challenge of playing Test Cricket on Australian shores begins from November 21 at Brisbane’s renowned GABBA. The Greenshirts will then face off with the home side at the Adelaide Oval for the first of the two day-night Tests in this Australian summer.
Initially, Pakistan were scheduled to lock horns with Sri Lanka in a two-Test series in the Emirates. That series was delayed for later and now, much to the delight of Pakistani fans, it has been announced that the same series will be held in Pakistani grounds, in December. This essentially means that Pakistan is finally set to end a decade-long drought of Test Cricket.
The tour is, indeed, a consequence of the successful white-ball series that was contested in Pakistan between the two sides, a month ago. Both sides have showed immense positivity on the resumption of Test Cricket on Pakistani soil.
“This is a fabulous news for Pakistan cricket and its reputation of being as safe and secure as any other country in the world,” Zakir Khan, the PCB director exclaimed. Ashley de Silva, Chief Executive of SLC, was also pleased by the decision: “We also believe all cricket playing countries should host international cricket at home and in this relation, we are happy to play our part in complete resumption of international cricket in Pakistan,”.
Given their schedule in the championship, it’s incredibly important for the Greenshirts to kickstart with a stable base. Pakistan will require a lot of character from its young blood and a lot of responsibility from its pros and mainstays to give Australia any sort of nervy moments during the upcoming two-match series. An odd victory in Australia might well do wonders for this team’s confidence that is seeking renaissance under a new leader and a new management.
Pakistan’s Schedule In The WTC 2019-21
Pakistan's tour of Australia, 2019-20
November 21st-25th: Australia versus Pakistan, first Test, Brisbane.
November 29th-December 3rd: Australia versus Pakistan, second Test, Adelaide.
Sri Lanka's tour of Pakistan, 2019-20
December 2019: Pakistan versus Sri Lanka, first Test, TBD.
December 2019: Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, second Test, TBD.
Bangladesh's tour of Pakistan, 2019-20
January 2020: Pakistan versus Bangladesh, first Test, TBD.
January 2020: Pakistan versus Bangladesh, second Test, TBD.
Pakistan's tour of England, 2020
July 30th-August 3rd: England versus Pakistan, first Test, London.
August 7th-11th: England versus Pakistan, second Test, Manchester.
August 20th-24th: England versus Pakistan, third Test, Nottingham.
Pakistan's tour of New Zealand, 2020-21
December 2020: New Zealand versus Pakistan, first Test, TBD.
December 2020: New Zealand versus Pakistan, second Test, TBD.
South Africa's tour of Pakistan, 2020-21
January 2021: Pakistan versus South Africa, first Test, TBD.
January 2021: Pakistan versus South Africa, second Test, TBD.
