Pakistan, Australia land in Lahore for Test series decider

Pakistan and Australia teams have landed in Lahore today for the third Test of the Benaud-Qadir Trophy. 

Both sides will start practising from tomorrow for the series decider, starting from March 21.

Test cricket will return to Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium after a long wait of 13 years. International cricket was suspended from Pakistan following the tragic attack on the Sri Lankan team in March 2009.

The Australian team has sweet and sour memories at this venue as they lost the final of the 1996 World Cup against Sri Lanka by seven wickets.

Meanwhile, the historic Test series that started with a dull draw at Rawalpindi has brought a lot of excitement in the previous Test played at Karachi. 

Both teams played their best game and produced a memorable match with many record-breaking performances.

Pakistan and Australia have played five Tests at Gaddafi Stadium previously. Both teams have won one match each and three games have been ended in a draw.

The surface in Lahore is expected to be more helpful and result-oriented compared to the Karachi and Pindi wicket as Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has hired head of ICC academy curator Toby Lumsden to assist the local curators in producing a better surface at Gaddafi Stadium.

Toby Lumsden, Head Curator at ICC Academy takes a look at the Lahore pitch. #BoysReadyHain l #PAKvAUS pic.twitter.com/271krFmo3M

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) March 17, 2022

The four leading players of Australia will leave after the third Test and will not be a part of the white-ball leg of the series against Pakistan. 

The players include David Warner, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Pat Cummins.

Starc will not be part of the limited-overs series as he is taking a rest, whereas the other three players will join their respective franchises for Indian Premier League (IPL) from April 6.