PCB confirms schedule for Australia's ODI tour of Pakistan; set to clash with IPL playoffs directly

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has confirmed the schedule for Australia's three-match ODI tour of Pakistan. The ODI series will directly overlap with the final stages of the Indian Premier League (IPL), including the playoffs.

Australia are expected to land in Islamabad on May 23. The first match of the series will be played on May 30, followed by the second ODI on June 2, and the final fixture will be held on June 4. The Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore will host the entire series. All the matches will begin at 4:30 PM local time.

The league stage of the IPL will conclude on May 24 with a face-off between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Delhi Capitals (DC) at the Eden Gardens. The playoffs will get underway on May 26 with Qualifier 1 at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) in Dharamsala.

Though not confirmed, the Aussies whose IPL teams advance to the playoffs could stay back in India, whereas those whose teams do not qualify may fly to Pakistan to join the ODI squad.

From Pat Cummins (Sunrisers Hyderabad) to Mitchell Strac (Delhi Capitals), a total of 15 Australian players are currently involved in the IPL. Though not certain, Cricket Australia (CA) may choose not to name Cummins, Starc and Hazlewood in the squad for either the Pakistan or Bangladesh series.

Australia's tour of Pakistan and Bangladesh