Jan 10, 2022: Todd Greenberg, chief executive of the Australian Cricketers’ Association, has assured the players that he will accompany them to Pakistan if final approval is given for the tour.

Australia is set to visit Pakistan in March-April for the first time in 24 years. Although the initial safety assessment has been cleared, the visit is subject to final approval.

Talking to the Sydney Morning Herald, Greenberg said, “I have made an assurance to the players that they won’t go alone, if they are going to Pakistan, I will be going with them and I think that’s important. It’s an opportunity to show the players that we are in this together.”

“The ACA accompanied Cricket Australia on a pre-tour of Pakistan late last year, and the reports were all very positive. But we will continue to take the advice of DFAT and other government organisations, as we need to be able to satisfy not just the players, but their families, that it’s safe to tour,” he added.

Greenberg added that he would not be surprised to see “some players” withdrawing from the trip despite security clearances. “There may be one or two players who will not be comfortable despite our best advice, and that’s fine, we need to respect that,” he explained.

“We have to be kind and patient with each other, and there’ll be a player or two who say, you know what, this is not for me at this particular point in my life and career, I’m not comfortable going. If that’s the case, we need to have great respect for that,” he added.

Earlier, former Australia Test captain Tim Paine had made similar predictions, saying that some players may not be “comfortable” in touring the country. “If we’re being completely honest, there may be some people who aren’t comfortable being carefree,” Paine said in an interview with SEN, an Australian radio station in Victoria in November 2021. “Some people will be happy to take the advice of experts and others will want to know more.”

Australia are scheduled to play three Tests, one ODI and one Twenty20 International during their tour of Pakistan in March-April this year.

Three Test matches will be played in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi while four white ball matches will be played in the provincial capital of Punjab.

Stay tuned to BaaghiTV for latest news and Updates!