Australian prime minister invites Pakistan cricket team to PM house

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has graciously invited the Pakistan cricket team to visit the PM House on December 5 upon their arrival in Canberra via Sydney for the Test series.

The 18-man squad, under the leadership of newly-appointed captain Shan Masood, is eagerly anticipated to convene at the PM House in Canberra on December 5 for what promises to be a significant meeting.

Adding to the diplomatic exchange, Cricket Australia (CA) has extended an invitation to Zaka Ashraf, the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Management Committee. Ashraf is expected to attend the second Test, commencing on December 26 at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

During his stay in Australia, Ashraf is slated to engage in crucial discussions with CA members, addressing pertinent matters related to the cricketing landscape.

An interesting aspect of Pakistan's tour Down Under includes their participation in a four-day First-Class match against the Australian PM XI. This historic fixture marks the third encounter between the two sides, with the previous matches occurring in 1990 and 2005.

The initial PM’s XI fixture dates back to 1951, and this upcoming match in Canberra will be the second under Prime Minister Albanese's leadership, following a two-year hiatus before 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.