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A Cricket Australia (CA) delegation is in Lahore to review security arrangements ahead of the team’s three-match T20I series against Pakistan in January next year. The delegation includes an independent security advisor and an official of the Australian Cricketers’ Association. Australia will tour Pakistan in early next year for a white-ball series, scheduled to be played in two phases. The first phase comprises a three-match T20I series in January. Though the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has not yet announced the venues and dates, it appears that all three games will be held in Lahore.
The delegation’s programme includes visits to the Gaddafi Stadium and the LCCA Ground in Lahore, as well as the hotel where the Australian team will stay. They are also scheduled to meet PCB officials and government and security representatives. The last time Australia visited Pakistan for a bilateral tour was in 2022 and recently played a few matches of Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan.
Their review comes In the aftermath of a deadly incident in Islamabad, where a suicide bomber blast caused death and injuries to many. The attack raised fresh concerns around the security environment in the country. Tensions intensified when several Sri Lankan players, who were in Islamabad during the bombing, expressed reservations about continuing their tour and communicated their fears to Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC). In response, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi managed to convince the Sri Lankan team to compelte the tour and SLC announced that action would be taken against any player who doesn’t take part.
While Australia’s ODI series in March remains on the calendar, discussions are ongoing about pushing the assignment to a later date due to a packed international schedule in the lead-up to the 2027 ODI World Cup. Cricket Australia is expected to make a final call on the January tour once the delegation submits its security report in the coming weeks. A report from local news suggest that all three matches will take place in Lahore only.
Besides the ground, the officials will also inspect the hotel arrangements and meet PCB officials to make sure that there are no lapses in the security. Reports say the PCB Is confident about hosting Australia and says all planning is being done closely with Cricket Australia to make sure the series is safe and well-managed. Fans are waiting for the final schedule, which will be confirmed after the CA team completes its security review.
