Pakistan tour uncertain after Islamabad blast as Cricket Australia sends security delegation
The Cricket Australia (CA) is rethinking the Pakistan tour and is looking for safety first before taking a final decision on the tour, which is expected to be played in January 2026.
While Australia have a scheduled plan to host Pakistan for a T20I series before the beginning of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, Cricket Australia (CA) is rethinking the tour and is looking for safety first before taking a final decision on the tour, which is expected to be played in January 2026.
Islamabad blast shook Pakistan once again
About a month ago, when Sri Lanka were on a busy tour in Pakistan, a suicide bombing in Islamabad shook the world once again, significantly the Lankan team. That incident killed at least 12 people and injured at least 25 people. It was the time of the ODI series, which was held before the T20I tri-series between the hosts Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Zimbabwe.
Some Sri Lankan players were considering returning home soon after that incident, where the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) had to intervene strongly to avoid any series cancellation.
Although the ODI series and later T20I tri-series ended successfully, the security was very tight. Even a later video revealed how security was so tight during the Sri Lankan team's travel to the hotel from the practice session, which seemed like top-tier security. Rawalpindi hosted the ODI series and the T20I tri-series.
As the Islamabad blast happened, Cricket Australia (CA) is monitoring the present situation. Australia have a plan to tour Pakistan for a T20I series in January 2026, and later they will tour again in Pakistan for a three-match ODI series in March 2026, after the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
While India and Sri Lanka will jointly host the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 from February 7 and March 8, 2026, the T20I series will be an important preparation for both Pakistan and Australia.
Cricket Australia sent delegation to assess Lahore situation
Although the final official fixture is yet to be published, Lahore is likely to host the upcoming T20I series against Australia. The CA has sent a delegation to assess the present situation in Lahore. It seems like the final decision on the Australia tour of Pakistan can be taken after the delegation report, which has an independent security advisor, a representative from the Australian Cricketers’ Association, and officials from the Australian High Commission.
The delegation will reportedly visit Gaddafi Stadium and the LCCA Ground, along with the team hotel and commute routes.
Tags:
