In March Pakistan is scheduled to host Australia for a five-match One-Day International (ODI) series in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). PCB wanted to host a couple of matches to be played in Pakistan. However, Cricket Australia (CA) has said no to travelling to Pakistan. Though, it “remains open to the idea of playing in the country again,” the Sydney Morning Herald reported.

Meanwhile, PCB has said that it is "still waiting for a response from the CA” and insisted that the talks with their Australian counterpart is still going on. Pakistan vs South Africa 2018–19: Injured Haris Sohail Claims He Was Under Spell of Black Magic.

“We want to see international cricket return to Pakistan — the country has a huge passion for it. However, the safety of our players and support staff is our number one priority and we won’t compromise that. We’ll continue to take advice from a range of government agencies and our own security intelligence and act on this accordingly,” A CA spokesperson was quoted as saying in the report.

Meanwhile, the ODI series between Pakistan and Australia will go ahead at a neutral venue and is most likely to take part towards the end of March. Steve Smith and David Warner's ban ends on March 29 and the series could mark the suspended duo’s return to the international cricket. Steve Smith to Undergo Elbow Surgery, Ruled Out of PSL T20 2019

Australia's current ODI captain Aaron Finch and Pakistan-born batsman Usman Khawaja recently expressed their desire to tour Pakistan.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 14, 2019 10:04 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).